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 .
Evaluating concordance to American Diabetes Association standards of care for type 2 diabetes through group visits in an uninsured or inadequately insured patient population.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a managed care approach to health care delivery , group visits , in the management of uninsured or inadequately insured patients with type 2 diabetes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 120 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were r and omly assigned to receive their care in group visits or usual care for 6 months . After 6 months , concordance with 10 process-of-care indicators recommended by the American Diabetes Association ( ADA ) st and ards of care was evaluated through chart abstract ion . The 10 items evaluated were up-to- date HbA(1c ) levels and lipid profiles , urine for microalbumin , appropriate use of ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blockers , use of lipid-lowering agents where indicated , daily aspirin use , annual foot examinations , annual referrals for retinal examinations , and immunizations against streptococcal pneumonia and influenza . RESULTS Patients who received care in group visits showed statistically significant improvement in concordance with these 10 process-of-care indicators ( P < 0.001 ) . Of the patients , 76 % who received care in group visits had at least 9 of these 10 items up to date , as compared with 23 % of control patients ; 86 % of patients in group visits had at least 8 of the 10 indicators compared with 47 % of control patients . CONCLUSIONS Group visits proved more effective in promoting concordance with ADA st and ards of care than usual care in the treatment of uninsured or inadequately insured patients with type 2 diabetes
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 .