Use of groups in well child care

A controlled study was conducted to examine the use of groups for well child care in the office setting. Group visits were compared to traditional visits by assessing the efficiency, efficacy, content, and process of visits as well as patient satisfaction. The group method was efficient and required no more provider time per pair than individual visits. The group method effectively changed the process and content of the well child visits and was acceptable to the sample population. Few changes in health care utilization were found, but mothers in the experimental group completed more well child visits and sought less advice between visits than mothers in the control group. The group method offers an alternative method of care that is worthy of further investigation and implementation.