Benefits of Group Visits
Clinical Outcomes
Evidence suggests that diabetes group visits (GVs) improve clinical outcomes for patient participants. A systematic review found that hemoglobin A1c improved by 0.6% and systolic blood pressure improved by 5 mmHg for diabetes patients who attended GVs. Studies have shown that GV patients were better able to reach A1c and blood pressure targets than patients receiving standard care. In addition, patients who attended GVs for longer periods of time had better A1c outcomes, with a 0.25% reduction for every year of participation.
Quality of Care
Patients who attend GVs may also experience better quality of care. Studies have shown that GV patients are more likely to receive recommended diabetes care, like foot and eye exams, and preventative care, such as breast cancer screenings and immunizations. GV patients also have fewer emergency room and hospital visits than other patients with diabetes. There is evidence that GVs are cost-effective as well. Even taking into consideration start-up costs associated with implementing a new program, GVs did not increase per-patient annual total costs, and excluding start-up, GV patients had significantly lower total costs than other patients with diabetes.
Patient Experience
GVs have been associated with increased patient satisfaction and greater engagement in care. The GV structure allows patients to receive medical care, education, and social support in one place. Patients have access to a multidisciplinary care team, can spend more time with their health care providers, and have more opportunity to ask questions. The group setting also facilitates interpersonal connections and social support. Interaction with peers who understand their struggles and share their experiences can provide patients with encouragement and hope and reduce distress. Additionally, GVs have been associated with improved diabetes knowledge and self-management skills as well as behavioral outcomes such as greater motivation to make lasting lifestyle changes with regard to exercise and diet.
“The patients really responded positively to this model of care, and they were invested in each other’s progress.”
“It was an easy-going atmosphere. I felt motivated but not judged.”
“I think the [staff] on the team, their morale has increased. They feel like they’re contributing and doing something positive for the patients.”
Staff Experience
GVs may contribute to greater staff satisfaction. Community health center staff have agreed that benefits to implementing diabetes GVs include patient-provider communication and trust, opportunities to collaborate with co-workers, and provider and staff morale. They also reported wanting to continue on diabetes GVs and to work on GVs for other conditions. When interviewed about their experience conducting GVs, staff discussed becoming closer with co-workers through teamwork, collaboration, and working towards a common goal. They also got to know patients better and reported being able to better communicate with them. The interpersonal connections facilitated by GVs may contribute to improved job satisfaction.