Shared Medical Appointments, Group Visits, DIGMAS
Introduction
Shared Medical Appointments (SMA), also known as group visits, are when multiple patients are seen as a group for follow-up or routine care. These visits are voluntary for patients and provide a secure but interactive setting in which patients have improved access to their physicians and can share experiences and advice with one another.
Our experience has shown increases in satisfaction and improved outcomes reported from physicians and patients and families. We will continue to modify this section as our experience and knowledge grows.
Clinical Microsystems Shared Medical Appointments Flyer
Readings
- Enhance Satisfaction with Drop-in Group Visits
- Understanding Today's Group Visit Models
- Practical Tips for Establishing Successful Group Visit Programs
- Physicals Shared Medical Appointments: A Revolutionary Access Success
- Potential Abuses of Group Visits
- Implementing a Group Medical Appointment Program
Additional Links
SMA are being developed in many practices. Here are a few web links to explore what others are doing:
- MeritCare, Valley Health Journal, "Group Appointments Improve Care"
- Shared Medical Appointments at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation
- ProMed Physicians Shared Medical Appointment Program
- Cleveland Clinic Florida: Shared Medical Appointments Program: Frequently Asked Questions
- Cleveland Clinic Florida: Shared Medical Appointments Program: A Special Blend of Care for Women
- Baylor Health Care Systems, "Group Medical Appointments Allow More Access to Physicians"
Articles on the web
- American Academy of Family Physicians, "Shared Medical Appointments"
- Managed Care Magazine, "Shared Appointments Improve Efficiency in the Clinic"
- Diabetes Spectrum, "Group Medical Appointments in Diabetes Care: Is There a Future?"
- Assessing a Group Medical Appointment Program: A Case Study at Sutter Medical Foundation
- The Business Case for Drop-In Group Medical Appointments: A Case Study of Luther Midelfort Mayo System