Improving diabetes outcomes by an innovative group visit model: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition requiring ongoing management.
• Effective primary care models are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Group visits offer a potential strategy for managing chronic diseases like diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a group visit model for patients with diabetes.
• To assess the model's impact on glycemic control (A1C), blood pressure, lipids, depression, and patient satisfaction.
• To determine the feasibility of implementing this model in primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• A pre/post-test descriptive study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 22 adult patients with diabetes (A1C ≥ 7.5) in a private family practice.
• Clinical outcomes (A1C, blood pressure, weight, lipids) and patient-reported measures (depression, satisfaction) were assessed before and after the group visits.

Main Results:

• A significant mean reduction of 1.1 points in A1C was observed (p = .009).
• Mean weight decreased by 3.01 pounds (p = .001) and diastolic blood pressure improved by 5.76 mmHg (p = .002).
• Significant improvements were noted in depression scores (p = .045) and patient satisfaction (p = .028).

Conclusions:

• The group visit model demonstrated effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes for diabetes patients.
• Preliminary findings suggest this model is realistic for implementation by nurse practitioners.
• Further research is warranted to validate these promising results in broader populations.