The study evaluated whether diabetic patients who regularly attend group medical visits for 6 months would show improvements in metabolic parameters and diabetes knowledge compared to traditional individual visits. The group visits included education, medical evaluation, and coordination of care. Results showed statistically significant improvements in HbA1c, diabetes knowledge, weight, blood pressure, and patient satisfaction for those in the group visit model. The study concluded that group visits can empower diabetics to better self-manage their condition through lifestyle changes.

1. Efficacy of Group Visits in Outpatient Management of Diabetes Nicholas Urbanczyk, DO Peter Farago, MD, Patricia West, PhD Department of Family Medicine St. John Hospital Detroit, MI October 17, 2011

2. 1999 Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2009 (*BMI  30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) 2009 1990 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

3. Number and Percentage of U.S. Population with Diagnosed Diabetes, 1958-2008 CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. National Diabetes Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics

4. Diabetes: The Epidemic Prevalence 20 million Americans diagnosed with DM $174 billion each year Number of DM to double by year 2030 Relevance Health care costs increasing New models of care

5. There is Hope

6. Patient Centered Medical Home Structured principles Personal physician Whole-person orientation Enhanced access Group Visit model for chronically ill patients

7. Group Visits Seeing patients in small groups Weekly, monthly, quarterly for 1-2 hours Effectiveness supported by literature DM focused but can be extended to any chronic illness

8. Group Visits Distinguish from more narrowly defined group education classes which address self-mgmt skills, exercise, and nutrition, but… Education classes do not provide – Medical evaluation Medication administration Coordination/delivery of preventive health services

9. DM Group Visit Include an educational session, plus most components of individual clinic visit Including one-on-one time with physician Not a lecture Lectures provide knowledge, but do not change behavior Curriculum for visit is driven by patient questions and concerns

10. Literature AIM-HI Bulletin AAFP 2008 Group medical visits reportedly improved critical health parameters Wheelock et al. Fam Med 2009 Patients were making life style changes HbgA1c and LDL levels did not differ Sadur et al. Diabetes Care 1999 Group visits for 6 months Improved patient satisfaction, self-efficacy and blood-glucose control

11. Literature

12. The Study

13. Purpose In this pilot study, we evaluate whether Diabetic patients who regularly attend Group Visits for 6 months at a Patient Centered Medical Home will show improvement in their metabolic parameters and knowledge of their Diabetes

14. Methods All adult Type II diabetics established at FMC were eligible Protocol approved by St. John Hospital IRB Recruitment letters Randomly assigned to 2 small groups 10 patients per group HIPPA disclosure and confidentiality forms Study length 12 months January – June 2010 and July – December 2010 Two 6-month block sessions

15. Methods Monthly meetings 75min group visit Vitals Labs, HbA1C, lipids Med review Immunizations Monthly diabetic topic DM Basics Common medications Hyper and hypoglycemic states Diabetic lab goals Nutritionist Foot care

16. Methods Main Outcomes HbA1c DM Knowledge Secondary Outcomes Weight Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Patient Satisfaction Completion of knowledge test 23 multiple-choice questions Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center

17. Results

19. Medications at Baseline

20. After 6 months…

21. HbA1c Pre- and Post-Intervention p = 0.026

22. Individual HbA1c Change from Pre- to Post-Intervention Intervention HbA1c (%)

23. Diabetes Knowledge Test Score Pre- and Post-Intervention p = 0.001 23 Questions

24. Weight Pre- and Post-Intervention p = 0.044

25. Systolic Blood Pressure Pre- and Post-Intervention p = 0.005

26. Patient Satisfaction Survey Organization: 5 Content: 5 Presenters: 5 Helpfulness: 5 Overall satisfaction: 5

27. Patient Satisfaction Comments “ I have had diabetes for over 10 years and until these meetings I never knew what it meant. Something about sugar.” “ I didn’t realize so many people like me had diabetes.” “ Great class. Nutrition talk was very helpful. Now, I know what to eat and what to avoid.”

28. Summary Statistically significant improvements in Primary and Secondary outcomes HbA1c and Knowledge of Diabetes Weight, SBP, and Patient Satisfaction Gains were realized in a well established diabetic patient population Gains were realized without the addition or modification of any medications Increased patient satisfaction compared to traditional office visit

29. Conclusions In a PCMH, Diabetics not under good glycemic control with typical office visits, can be empowered to make beneficial lifestyle changes and to self manage their diabetes when participating in a group visit model facilitated by Family Medicine Residents Future study Investigate whether positive changes persist in larger study Utility of Group Visits for other medical conditions Community Medicine Rotation for residents

31. Acknowledgements Peter Farago, MD – Family Medicine Patricia West, PhD, RN – Family Medicine Ruth Moore, PhD – Medical Education Karen Hagglund, MS – Medical Education

32. References Clancy DE, Huang P, Okonofua E, Yeager D, Magruder KM. Group Visits: Promoting Adherence to Diabetes Guidelines. J Gen Intern Med 2007; 22: 620-624. Sadur CN, Moline N, Costa M, Michalik D, Mendlowitz D, Roller S, Watson R, Swain BE, Selby JV, Javorski WC. Diabetes Management in a Health Maintenance Organization: Efficacy of care management using cluster visits. Diabetes Care 1999; 22: 2011-2017. Theobald M, Masley S. A Guide to Group Visits for Chronic Conditions Affected by Overweight and Obesity. Americans In Motion – Healthy Interventions. AAFP. June 17, 2008 Wheelock C, Savageau J, Silk H, Lee S. Improving the Health of Diabetic Patients Through Resident-initiated Group Visits. Fam Med 2009; 41: 116-9.