Shared Medical Appointments in Diabetes Care: A Literature Review

In Brief Most patients with type 2 diabetes receive their medical care from primary care providers. Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are one option to meet the various medical and education needs of patients in one appointment, while also providing peer support and motivation. Research suggests that SMAs can be effective in improving knowledge, quality of life, and problem-solving skills in patients with diabetes. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal group size, format, and curriculum.