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 .
Group Visits: Promoting Adherence to Diabetes Guidelines
BACKGROUND Current diabetes management guidelines offer blueprints for providers , yet type 2 diabetes control is often poor in disadvantaged population s. The group visit is a new treatment modality originating in managed care for efficient service delivery to patients with chronic health problems .  Group visits offer promise for delivering care to diabetic patients , as visits are lengthier and can be more frequent , more organized , and more educational . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of group visits on clinical outcomes , concordance with 10 American Diabetes Association ( ADA ) guidelines [ American Diabetes Association , Diabetes Care , 28:S4–36 , 2004 ] and 3 United States Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) cancer screens [ U.S. Preventive Services Task Force , http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/re source .htm , 2003 ] . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 12-month r and omized controlled trial of 186 diabetic patients comparing care in group visits with care in the traditional patient – physician dyad . Clinical outcomes ( HbA1c , blood pressure [ BP ] , lipid profiles ) were assessed at 6 and 12 months and quality of care measures ( adherence to 10 ADA guidelines and 3 USPSTF cancer screens ) at 12 months . RESULTS At both measurement points , HbA1c , BP , and lipid levels did not differ significantly for patients attending group visits versus those in usual care . At 12 months , however , patients receiving care in group visits exhibited greater concordance with ADA process-of-care indicators ( p < .0001 ) and higher screening rates for cancers of the breast ( 80 vs. 68 % , p = .006 ) and cervix ( 80 vs 68 % , p = .019 ) . CONCLUSIONS Group visits can improve the quality of care for diabetic patients , but modifications to the content and style of group visits may be necessary to achieve improved clinical outcomes
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 .