Group Medical Visits in Diabetes Care
Summary
Group medical visits represent an innovative model for managing type 2 diabetes, in which cohorts of patients engage in clinical review, education and peer support within a single session led by healthcare professionals. This approach addresses constraints on clinician time and resource allocation by combining medical assessment, self-management guidance and psychosocial reinforcement, often with a multidisciplinary team. Evidence from diverse healthcare systems indicates that regular participation in group visits can support improved glycaemic control, enhanced diabetes knowledge and greater adherence to treatment regimens, while fostering patient empowerment and social connectedness. Implementation has spanned urban hospitals, community health centres and rural clinics, with adaptations to local contexts. Continued research seeks to refine delivery models, standardise outcome measures and explore strategies for sustained integration into routine diabetes care worldwide.
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Group Medical Visits in Diabetes Care publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in group medical visits in diabetes care across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Shared medical appointment (SMA): A model of care in which multiple patients are seen together by healthcare providers in a single session, combining medical consultation, education and peer support.
Glycaemic control (HbA1c): The management of blood glucose levels over time, often measured by glycated haemoglobin, reflecting average concentration over two to three months.
Community Health Worker (CHW): A lay health worker who supports patient outreach, education and navigation within community settings, often linking individuals to formal healthcare services.
Triple Aim: A framework aiming to optimise healthcare performance through simultaneous improvements in patient experience, population health outcomes and cost efficiency.
References
- Shared Medical Appointments May Be Effective for Improving Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2017).
- Impact of diabetes group visits on patient clinical and self-reported outcomes in community health centers. BMC Endocrine Disorders (2022).
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Diabetes Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) as Implemented in Five Veterans Affairs Health Systems: a Multi-site Cluster Randomized Pragmatic Trial. Journal of General Internal Medicine (2021).
- Group Medical Care: A Systematic Review of Health Service Performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021).
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