It showed patient satisfaction was through the roof. The docs loved it. No matter what they're called, group medical appointments usually share a certain structure. There's a socialization period, followed by an educational component. A question and answer session might follow, along with a check of vital signs.
Patients can then get new prescriptions from the doctor, referrals, and perhaps minor tests done.
Length of time for a group session varies, with Scott's running about two and a half hours. The group focused on osteoporosis, a concern of Jill's mother, Sally. She did say, however, that questions asked by the patients in the group seemed to generate even more questions. One thing I noticed was the emphasis on self-care. As far as concerns about confidentiality, Antonides says none of the patients seemed to mind the fact some of their previous study results were discussed publicly.