Introducing group consultations.
Problem:
A practice serving a relatively deprived population was overwhelmed by demand. We identified long term condition management as an area of pressure and ran a separate workstream to introduce group diabetes consultations.
Our work:
Using an expert facilitator, we introduced the process and provided training to conduct group consultations including: Working with the team to co design and deliver a tailored approach that worried best for their patient population
A Clinician orientation session to ensure that lead GP have the tools and guidance needed to confidently plan and deliver group consultations
On site facilitation of group consultation by experienced group consultations facilitator
On site facilitator training and observation/ coaching feedback at subsequent group consultations session delivered by in practice facilitator. This ensures sustainable model moving forward
Provision of a practice toolkit that includes all of the practice and session templates required to go live with group consultations
Provision of tools for the practice to capture staff and patients experience (pre and post group consultation experience) and advice on capture of clinical measures (based on evidence base and previous evaluations of group consultations)
Outcomes:
The practice identified three internal facilitators who will be further trained and observed. The Practice has already started to think of potentially expanding this into other chronic conditions such as COPD / Asthma where self- management and awareness of their conditions have a direct impact on outcomes.
Patient feedback post group consultation
• Enjoyed everything about it
• Great to getadvicefromdoctorandotherpatientsaboutgoingtothegym
• Greatwaytoreviewandlookatmydiabetes
• Learningfromothers(x4)
• Hearinghowotherpeoplecopewiththeircondition
• Learningaboutmymedicines
• Ienjoyedthefactthatthedoctorwastheretoanswerquestionsinmoredepth • Sharinginformationwithotherpatientsinafunway
• Meetingotherpeoplewithsameproblems
• Tobetterourprogress(agoodwayto)
• Ienjoyedeverythingwetalkedabout