Type 2 Diabetes Group Consultations

We are now holding diabetic reviews in group sessions at St Andrews Medical Centre.

Group consultations are a way for you to join people with similar health issues. They give you more time with your clinician than you would get in a traditional review, and allow you to learn from others with the same health condition as you.  

People who have participated in group clinics say they enjoy hearing from other people in similar situations and having longer to talk about any concerns they have.

Patients have said they enjoy sharing their concerns, what has worked for them and what doesn’t but also hearing from other people’s success; feeling a sense of belonging and that they are no longer alone in trying to manage their condition.

At the start of the group, the facilitator will ask you to fill out a consent form before the group can start. By ticking the box, you are consenting to attending a group clinic and consenting for medical information regarding the condition to be shared amongst the group. This also means consenting to not discussing other patient’s details outside the group.

You will then be shown your results in the group. You will be given time to digest them and think of any questions you may have. 

The facilitator and the clinical pharmacist/doctor will answer these questions and others that arise. During this time people often join in and share ideas and problem solve together. The nurse will then go round and do one to one reviews with each patient.  

A typical clinic will last between 60-90 minutes. You will be greeted by a trained facilitator who will support the session. 

After the session there will be an opportunity to provide feedback so that we can make improvements

When and where will the group consultations take place?

Group sessions will take place at St Andrews Medical Centre on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What happens in a group consultation?

When the session starts, the facilitator will ask each patient to complete a consent form. This will confirm that you consent to attending the group consultation and are consenting for medical information regarding the condition to be shared within the group. This is also an agreement to not discuss or share other patients detail outside of the group. 

You will then be shown your results in the group and given some time to read through this and think of any questions you may have.

The medical team/facilitator will answer these questions and patients are encouraged to join in the conversations to share ideas and problem solve together. After this, the clinician leading the group on this day will speak to patients one to one for any adjustments to medication or provide additional support that may be needed. 

What is the benefit of group consultations?

Group consultations have been shown to be positive and engaging for numerous health conditions with group consulations being used all over the country. 

Feedback from patients where these consultations are being used say that they enjoy being able to meet with people with the same health conditions and find it beneficial to learn from each other.