GROUP CLINICS
Group clinics are organised appointments comprising of around 8/10 patients with the same condition or set of clinical problems, coming together in a supportive group setting. This is a more personalised way of supporting patients with long term medical conditions and allows patients to learn from each other as well as from clinicians. . Group clinics can still deliver personalised care, by using shared decision making, supporting self-management, prescribing, as well as developing a peer support group.
Menopause Group Clinic
We will soon be offering our first group menopause clinic on evening at Honiton Surgery.
We cover aspects of Menopause, symptoms, lifestyle advice, the benefits and risk of HRT, different types of HRT and how it works.
The average age of the menopause in the UK is 51 with a normal range of 45-55. The menopause transition can have a significant impact on many women, with more than 75% experiencing menopausal symptoms, a quarter describing severe symptoms, and a third experiencing long-term symptoms. A significant proportion of women may experience troublesome menopausal symptoms while still perimenopausal (the phase proceeding the menopause where women experience menstrual cycle irregularities +/- menopausal symptoms).
If you are aged 46-55, interested in discussing menopause, perimenopause or HRT (not currently on HRT) then please email us directly for more information and to check eligibility on : d-icb.honitonsurgery-groupclinics@nhs.net
Overtime we will develop more group consultation clinics for a variety of health conditions.
What is a Group Clinics?
A Group Clinic is a 90-minute face-to-face appointment which is run by a facilitator and a GP. The consultation occurs within a supportive and friendly group, with around 8-10 other patients present. The first part of the session involves discussion of your experiences, questions, and results (where applicable) with your group and the facilitator. During the second part of the consultation, the clinician enters and then holds one-to-one consultations with each member of the group, as well as answering any questions that the group has. New prescriptions, referrals and further investigations can be discussed and organised at this point. During the last part of the session, participants can reflect on how the session has gone and set individual goals to help them manage their condition better.
Why are we doing this?
We are always looking for ways to improve the way that we care for patients. Evidence has shown that this way of running appointments can benefit patients, clinicians, and the GP practice. Group Consultations are already routinely being used in parts of the UK. There is overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients, who feel that these appointments give them more time with a clinician, more time to have their questions about their condition answered and allow them to meet others with the same condition. Studies have also shown that this way of consulting can improve disease outcomes. Additionally, clinicians benefit from feeling that they have more time to offer advice and listen to patients’ experiences. Evidence has also shown that this model is more efficient and cost-effective for the GP Practice – which is a bonus that means that we can continue to offer good care to our patients in the future.
How do I book into a group consultation clinic?
If you are intrested in Menopause group clinic please email : d-icb.honitonsurgery-groupclinics@nhs.net
Do I consent to participate?
Yes, there is a consent process in place and this helps you and others stay safe and preserves the whole group’s confidentiality.
What if I don’t want my personal details discussed with others?
During the Consultation, there will be a whiteboard displaying everyone’s first name next to their results (e.g. blood pressure, symptoms, peak flow readings, exacerbations, lifestyle). Patients are required to sign a consent form before the session to say that they are happy for their information to be discussed in front of others. This will be sent to you via text message once you have booked into the clinic. Whilst a few patients have voiced worries about sharing this information in the past, in practice we have had feedback that participants have felt that this is not a significant issue. If you have a personal issue that you would rather not discuss in front of the group, the clinician can always discuss this with you in private at the end of consultation.
What if I don’t want my condition to be reviewed in this way?
97% of patients who have tried Group Clinics would recommend them to a friend. Many of these patients were initially unsure about Group Clinics, so we advise you to try this! We are happy to answer your questions about Group Consultations, and can discuss these with you in more detail, if required. Please let our reception team know if you have specific concerns. If you do not want to take part with the group consultations, then you can book an appointment in the usual way with a practice nurse / GP.
How long is the session?
Our group consultations typically last for 60-90 minutes, longer than an individual 1 to 1 consultation, allowing for more time with the specialist and more discussion.
If you are attending a face to face group clinic, you can also watch this video to see how the session will flow.
Menopause Group Clinic Additional Infomation
What will be covered?
The aim of the consultation is to cover a range of important information relating to the menopause. We will look at the range of potential symptoms associated with the menopause and how to recognise if you may be entering the perimenopause or menopause. We will cover how to manage symptoms including lifestyle measures, supplements and of course HRT and other medications.
Each person will then have a chance to discuss their individual case with the GP present so that help and advice can be more tailored. If you would like to start HRT this can be discussed. We will be asking all patients to fill in a medical questionnaire prior to attending to facilitate discussions about treatment options. This will be sent via text message once you have booked into a clinic.
Resources
Please find some useful resources below with relevant information relating to the menopause and treatments available. You may find it useful to have a look at some of these prior to attending the group consultation and jot down any questions you may have.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk
https://www.themenopauseconsortium.com/resources
https://www.balance-menopause.com (app also available)
https://rockmymenopause.com/resources/
https://www.thesurmenoconnection.com/
Books:
Managing the menopause
Me and my menopausal vagina
Oestrogen matters
