Adapted from BMJ 23 March 2024
A study published in BMJ Open reported on the analysis of 29 patient trials who were placed in group appointments in their General Practice. The participants had the same conditions as other group members.
These appointments have been seen as a way to make patient education and care more efficient. Given the constraints that Primary Care faces regarding health care professionals, this is perfectly reasonable. Group therapy, at least in theory, also allows patients to learn from each other and to support each other.
Unfortunately the outcomes were not any better for the group appointment attendees, except for lower diastolic blood pressure. There were no other statistically relevant changes. In addition, there was no difference in the use of medical services.
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