title: Combined group and individual model for postbariatric surgery follow-up care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of bariatric surgery in the United States has increased significantly during the past decade, increasing the number of patients requiring postbariatric surgery follow-up care. Our objective was to develop and implement an efficient, financially viable, postbariatric surgery practice model that would be acceptable to patients. The setting was the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN).
  
  
  METHODS
  By monitoring the attendance rates and using patient surveys, we tested patient acceptance of a new, shared medical appointment practice model in the care of postbariatric surgery patients. Efficiency was assessed by comparing differences in time per patient and total provider time required between the former and new care models. Individual-only patient/provider visits were replaced by combined group and individual visits (CGV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our CGV model was well-attended and accepted. The patient attendance rate was >90% at all postoperative follow-up points. Furthermore, 83%, 85.2%, and 75.7% of the 3-, 6-, and 12-month postbariatric surgery patients, respectively, responded that they would not prefer to have only individual visits with their healthcare providers. The CGV model also resulted in greater time efficiency and cost reduction. On average, 5 patients were seen within 4.9 provider hours compared with 10.4 provider hours with the individual-only patient/provider visit model. Furthermore, the average billable charge for the CGV model's group medical nutrition therapy was 50-64% less than the equivalent individual medical nutrition therapy used in the individual-only patient/provider visit model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shared medical appointments have a valuable role in the care of the postbariatric surgery population, offering a time- and cost-effective model for healthcare provision that is well-accepted by patients.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. lorentz.paul@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lorentz
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Collazo-Clavell
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005249:Fees and Charges; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008910:Minnesota; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data