Overview
If your clinician recommends taking steps to manage your health, you may have questions about what comes next. Or you may want clinical professionals to guide you on this journey to a healthier you. You’re not alone. A group medical visit could launch you on the path to achieving your health goals.
A group medical visit consists of 6-12 patients with a similar condition, who meet with a clinician for an extended session at our clinic. At the visit, discussions will focus on a particular treatment option or strategy relevant to the condition.
Participants learn from the questions and experiences of others in the group. Many may have common health concerns. Support from people who understand your experience and goals may inspire you to follow a treatment plan and take more responsibility for health.
Group medical visits, which are typically 60-90 minutes, are intended to supplement, not replace, your relationship with your treating clinician.
Conditions
Group medical visits, sometimes referred to as shared medical visits, have been shown to help people with chronic conditions that persist for several months or longer or have long-lasting effects learn new strategies for achieving their best health. Examples include cancer and coronary artery disease.
Services
I-CAN Integrative Cancer Group Medical Visit – Connects individuals who have recovered from cancer treatment and want to move beyond disease to more vibrant health using strategies that address the whole person.
Integrative Healthy Weight Group Medical Visit – Open to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater who want to explore a gradual, whole-person health approach to weight loss.
Integrative Cardiology Group Medical Visit – Offered to individuals with a cardiology-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or coronary artery disease who are interested in exploring lifestyle changes that can lead to better health.
Why Choose Us?
As part of the only academic medical center in Orange County, the Samueli Institute combines the best of conventional and complementary practices to help you maintain your health. Our team is comprised of the most comprehensive panel of integrative clinicians in Orange County. We also partner with expert specialists across UCI Health. This ensures that group visits engage the best clinical team for your health. Clinicians vary by program and specific visit goals. Group visits may involve specialists, osteopathic or naturopathic doctors, dieticians, acupuncturists, and other clinicians focused on whole-person health.
Cost
While a group visit is longer and more comprehensive than an individual medical visit with a provider, it is not more expensive. Your health insurance carrier will be billed as usual. Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute accepts a variety of insurance plans or private pay. Your visit may be subject to a copay and deductible. You may contact your health insurance carrier directly to verify coverage.
Research
Cunningham, S. D., Sutherland, R. A., Yee, C. W., Thomas, J. L., Monin, J. K., Ickovics, J. R., & Lewis, J. B. (2021). Group Medical Care: A Systematic Review of Health Service Performance. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(23), 12726. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312726
The Susan Samueli Health Institute was and still remains transformative for improving my health as it provides not only a community for support, but also offers the latest information on diet, nutrition and new methods of treatment. In short, these bimonthly group sessions have propelled me to better manage my health and achieve positive outcomes. I am now healthier thanks to the Institute – what more can one ask for?
Hal Steinberg, SSIHI
