Welcome to
The Integrated Center for Group Medical Visits
Your source for training, consultation, and support in group medical visits.
Group Medical Visits in the times of a pandemic
What strategies can you use with a virtual group?
1. Make big groups smaller: To allow maximum conversation and connection, use break out rooms whenever possible to allow groups of 2-4 people to converse at a time.
2. Give clear instructions: Be thoughtful of your words and directions. Breaking into small groups does not always allow for check-in and clarifying questions
3. Make visits shorter: Consider more frequent and shorter visits so as to keep every participant's attention.
4. Use your mute button: To help contain enthusiasm, the careful use of mute buttons allow for a more controlled conversation.
5. Use the right technology: ZOOM is a leader for providing the ability to have breakout rooms and HIPPA compliance, especially for larger groups, but can cost $200 a month or more. Doxy.me is good for smaller groups of 10 or less, but does not have break out capabilities. We are working on evaluating technology and hope to give a full report later.
5. Create a virtual room: We anticipate a future where only a small percentage of people will be able to have a visit in person. A virtual room will allow a combination of in person and at home people to interact.
Why are group visits effective in times of emergency?
1. We have the infrastructure in place to communicate with and handle a large number of people. One clinician can see over 150 patients receiving services in a day and clinically bill for 30 or more. This efficiency has us prepared for emergencies, such as COVID-19, gas explosions, and winter weather.
2. Our schedule has flexibility to accommodate changes. Because a large number of our group visits are run as a drop in service, there are fewer pre-scheduled appointments that would need cancellation in the event of a community emergency.
3. We have an enhanced relationship with our patients and community and thus, are more effective in sending messages (such as social distancing). By seeing large numbers of people consistently over months and years a mutual trust and understanding have developed so that communication is more effective.
What can a group program do to keep people safe when the quarantine is lifted?
1. We are offering on-line exercise and yoga classes. We have had to cancel in person groups where it would be difficult to maintain social distancing of 6 feet. Come join us on-line either on Youtube or Live streaming for a yoga class.
2. We are working with Kronos Health by offering more clinical hours by our providers and staff to help with increased medical activity at this time. It is helpful to be able to switch our focus towards the medical practice.
3. We are offering our integrative medicine services (such as acupuncture) in a one-on-one manner using our space to keep people separated. We have also limited group sizes to 6 people at most and are staggering entry to our programs.
Interested in learning more about starting virtual groups?
Join us for a virtual training session with many to choose from in 2021.
To find out more, visit our training page!
About Us
Our Team
Our History
Our History
Paula Gardiner MD and Jeffrey Geller MD are the chairs of our Board of Directors and, with the team at Kronos Health, lead most of the trainings in group visit facilitation.
Our History
Our History
Our History
Paula is a world leader GMV research working for years at leading universities to discover best practices.
Jeff is perhaps the most experienced provider of GMV with over 23 years of practice with countless types of GMV.
Our Mission
Our History
Our Mission
To help create a world where all people have access to evidence based integrated primary care, including group medical visit models facilitated by outstanding providers trained in group medical care.
Help Our Cause
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Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve our group space. Your generous donation will fund our mission.