By Lisa Nelson, MD
As a physician dedicated to improving the lives of those with chronic health conditions, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative healing that happens in group health visits.
For people who struggle with physical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic pain, or mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, a group health visit can help people forge connections, live better, and feel better.
Who is a good candidate for group health visits?
A group health visit is ideal for anyone who struggles with a condition in which lifestyle plays a role. And evidence shows that nearly every chronic condition— from heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes to insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain—can improve with changes in how we live. Though patients often receive a recurring mantra of medical advice—eat better, reduce your stress, get more exercise, and get good sleep—many of these patients have struggled in isolation, and change is hard without adequate support. For so many of my patients, the missing remedy is connection.
One of my patients said this about our group health visits: “I always feel relaxed and recharged afterward, and I have learned helpful and practical techniques to help with anxiety, movement, and balance. And the people in this group are wonderful and kind. I have also learned so much from them through our connection, and my life is enriched seeing them weekly.”
What are the advantages of group health visits?
The sense of community my patients foster has been impressive. In a group setting, patients learn they are not alone in their journey; they share their experiences, offer support and encouragement, and receive it back. This sense of camaraderie and emotional support are as vital as medical treatment. Some participants in my Tuesday afternoon group have known each other for more than five years, and we’ve been through a lot together—personal journeys as well as the pandemic. Being a part of a small, caring community has helped all of us weather challenges and share in each other’s successes.
How do group visit patients help each other?
In group care visits, patients learn from each other. Unlike a traditional one-on-one medical exam, which is limited to a patient’s health issues and the provider’s expertise, in group visits, patients exchange valuable insights, strategies, and coping mechanisms with each other. It can be easier for patients to speak about their health with a peer with similar experiences. And I, as a medical provider, am there to answer medical questions as they arise. So, groups are a wonderful way to get and share information in a more collaborative and supportive way.
Research has shown that group health visits can lead to improved health outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions. By combining medical care with education, counseling, and peer support, group visits comprehensively address the multifaceted nature of chronic illness. Patients are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles, identify and overcome barriers, and manage their conditions more effectively when they feel supported and empowered by a community of peers.
What are some other benefits of group health care?
Group health patients are often energized to take a more active role in their health care journey. Through education, peer support, and shared decision-making, individuals learn to advocate for their needs, ask questions, and make informed choices about their treatment options. This self-advocacy is invaluable in helping patients regain a sense of control over their health and well-being.
Another patient of mine wrote, “The group shares all kinds of ideas and thoughts about self-help and feeling better. With Lisa and Mary to guide us, we explore ways to reach our individual and collective goals on our wellness journey.”
In my own weekly group health visit, Mindful Movement and Meditation, yoga therapist Mary Northey and I co-lead a group that focuses on body-centered awareness and simple tools to manage stress. We engage patients in gentle yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. We talk about the role stress plays in so many chronic conditions, and how simple tools, like just breathing slowly, can positively impact our physiology. In the more than five years we’ve been together, participants have shared how our learned practices have helped them feel less anxious, sleep better, eat better, and more. Though we initially met in person, we’ve found that meeting on-line makes it more accessible, and just as effective, for everyone.
Group health visits represent a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery by engaging patients fully in their wellness, and by making room for the emotional and physical work of living with a chronic condition. By fostering a sense of community, facilitating peer learning, and improving health outcomes, group visits have the potential to revolutionize the way we care for individuals with chronic health conditions. As a physician, I strongly encourage patients to consider the benefits of group medical visits and explore this innovative approach to better health and wellness.