Brief report: Trainee provider perceptions of group visits.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of observing group visits on trainees' perceptions of group visits as a method of health care delivery.


METHODS
Thirty-two trainees assigned to month-long rotations at an academic Internal Medicine Primary Care Clinic serving underinsured patients were recruited to observe between 1 and 4 group visits. Prior to observation of their first, and subsequent to observation of their last group visit, each trainee completed the Patient-Physician Orientation Scale (PPOS), a validated survey evaluating their tendencies toward being patient-centered or provider-centered. Additionally, they completed a Group Visit Questionnaire (GVQ) evaluating their perceptions of group visits as a method of health care delivery.


RESULTS
Trainee gender, type, and level of training were similarly represented across the study population of trainees. While there were no significant differences noted on pre- and postobservation PPOS scores, the postobservation GVQs scores were significantly improved after observing at least one group visit (P<.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Trainees' perceptions of group visits as a method of health care delivery improved significantly after observation of at least 1 group as measured by the GVQ.
Davis
Kimberly S
KS
Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. davisks@musc.edu
Magruder
Kathryn M
KM
Lin
Yan
Y
Powell
Caroline K
CK
Clancy
Dawn E
DE