Table 1.
Characteristics of the primary research papers included in the review
| Study characteristics | Number (n = 46) | Percentage |
| Study design | ||
| Randomised controlled trial | 30 | 65.2 |
| Before and after (no control) | 7 | 15.2 |
| Controlled before & after | 6 | 13.0 |
| Controlled clinical trial | 3 | 6.5 |
| Year published | ||
| Pre-2000 | 7 | 15.2 |
| 2000 and later | 39 | 84.8 |
| Settings | ||
| Primary Care | 35 | 76.1 |
| Pharmacy | 6 | 13.0 |
| Community | 1 | 2.2 |
| Community based care | 2 | 4.3 |
| Managed Care Organisation | 2 | 4.3 |
| Intervention area | ||
| Urban | 30 | 65.2 |
| Urban and rural | 8 | 17.4 |
| Rural | 5 | 10.9 |
| Remote | 1 | 2.2 |
| Not clear | 2 | 4.3 |
| Country | ||
| USA | 23 | 50.0 |
| UK | 12 | 26.1 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 8.7 |
| Australia | 2 | 4.3 |
| Canada | 2 | 4.3 |
| Other | 3 | 6.5 |
| Chronic Disease | ||
| Cardiovascular conditions | 12 | 26.1 |
| Diabetes & related conditions | 12 | 26.1 |
| Not mentioned | 10 | 21.7 |
| 2 or more chronic conditions | 6 | 13.0 |
| Musculo-skeletal conditions | 2 | 4.3 |
| Mental conditions | 3 | 6.5 |
| Respiratory conditions | 1 | 2.2 |