The influence of auditory perception in measurement of blood pressure among specialist physicians

Subject Areas : علوم پزشکی

saeid  Nazmi ¹ (متخصص قلب، دانشکده پزشکی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد مشهد)
Davoud  Karimi ² (پزشک عمومی، دانشکده پزشکی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد مشهد)

Received: 2017-02-22 Accepted : 2017-02-22 Published : 2016-09-22

Keywords: Blood pressure measurement – auditory perception – Specialists,

Abstract :

Background: Assessment of blood pressure is one of the basics of physical examination that usually is performed by indirect auscultatory method using a mercury manometer. Mercury manometer is the gold standard instrument for blood pressure measurement. Several factors may cause observational error in assessment of blood pressure. Correct and reliable evaluation of blood pressure has a great role in diagnosis and treatment of diseases, so we decided to evaluate the role of auditory perception in measurement of blood pressure after excluding or matching of other interventional factors. Method and materials: seventy specialists in Aria and 22 Bahman hospitals were enrolled in this study. 41 cases were selected randomly using the table of randomized numbers by SPSS software. All cases underwent PTA and tympanometry in order to exclude those with hearing problems. A standard method for assessment of blood pressure was explained for remaining cases and then they recorded the blood pressure of four patients which were presented in a film. Each film was repeated 10 times in a randomized pattern so observers were compared with others and also themselves. Finally, statistical analysis was performed. Results: comparing different observers showed statistically significant differences between observers. Mean interobservers standard error was 9.4 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 20.5 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure and 16.1 mmHg for mean blood pressure. Comparing observers recordings for each case by themselves, didn’t show any statistically significant difference. Conclusion: according to significant differences between observers, we suggest a new method for assessment of blood pressure that is independent of observers’ auditory perception.  

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