The most significant effect observed is with the change from baseline results .
Some evidence suggests post-intervention and change from baseline systolic blood pressure improvement at the nine to twelve month interval and change from baseline improvement at the 4 year timeframe .
There is no evidence that group visits improve LDL cholesterol values of the group visit participants .
IMPLICATION S FOR PRACTICE The evidence suggests that the most powerful model of Group medical visits ( GMV ) is when a clinician prescriber is present during or immediately after GMV sessions for medication reconciliation or individual patient needs .
BACKGROUND The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is ubiquitous .
Complications and costs of diabetes are rising and are depleting limited re sources .
It is imperative for healthcare professionals and patients alike to confront this chronic condition by exploring new interventions .
An innovative health care delivery model has emerged in the last 25 years in the form of the group medical visit .
Group medical visits can range from of six to twenty patients scheduled together with time allotted for individual care as well as in the group setting .
A model educational program for people with type 2 diabetes: a cooperative Latin American implementation study (PEDNID-LA).
OBJECTIVE To implement an educational program in 10 Latin American countries and to evaluate its effect on the clinical , biochemical , and therapeutic aspects as well as the economic cost of diabetes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Educators from each participating country were previously trained to implement the educational model .  The patient population included 446 individuals with type 2 diabetes ; all patients were < 65 years of age , did not require insulin for metabolic control , did not have severe complications of diabetes or life-limiting illnesses , and had not previously participated in diabetes education courses .  Clinical and therapeutic data and the cost of their pharmacological treatment were collected 6 months before participation in the educational program ( -6 months ) , on entry into the program ( time 0 ) , and at 4 , 8 , and 12 months after initiation of the program . RESULTS All parameters measured had improved significantly ( P < 0.001 ) by 1 year : fasting blood glucose ( mean + /- SD ) 10.6 + /- 3.5 vs. 8.7 + /- 3.0 mmol/l ; HbA(1c ) 9.0 + /- 2.0 vs. 7.8 + /- 1.6 % ; body weight 84.6 + /- 14.7 vs. 81.2 + /- 15.2 kg ; systolic blood pressure 149.6 + /- 33.6 vs. 142.9 + /- 18.8 mmHg ; total cholesterol 6.1 + /- 1.1 vs. 5.4 + /- 1.0 mmol/l ; and triglycerides 2.7 + /- 1.8 vs. 2.1 + /- 1.2 mmol/l . At 12 months , the decrease in pharmacotherapy required for control of diabetes , hypertension , and hyperlipidemia represented a 62 % decrease in the annual cost of treatment ( $ 107,939.99 vs. $ 41,106.30 [ U.S. ] ) . After deducting the additional cost of glucosuria monitoring ( $ 30,604 ) , there was still a 34 % annual savings . CONCLUSIONS The beneficial results of this educational model , implemented in 10 Latin American countries , reinforce the value of patient education as an essential part of diabetes care . They also suggest that an educational approach promoting healthy lifestyle habits and patient empowerment is an effective strategy with the potential to decrease the development of complications related to diabetes as well as the socioeconomic costs of the disease
The most significant effect observed is with the change from baseline results .
Some evidence suggests post-intervention and change from baseline systolic blood pressure improvement at the nine to twelve month interval and change from baseline improvement at the 4 year timeframe .
There is no evidence that group visits improve LDL cholesterol values of the group visit participants .
IMPLICATION S FOR PRACTICE The evidence suggests that the most powerful model of Group medical visits ( GMV ) is when a clinician prescriber is present during or immediately after GMV sessions for medication reconciliation or individual patient needs .
BACKGROUND The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is ubiquitous .
Complications and costs of diabetes are rising and are depleting limited re sources .
It is imperative for healthcare professionals and patients alike to confront this chronic condition by exploring new interventions .
An innovative health care delivery model has emerged in the last 25 years in the form of the group medical visit .
Group medical visits can range from of six to twenty patients scheduled together with time allotted for individual care as well as in the group setting .