Tatiana Mikhailova, Madison Park, S. Prasad Vinjamury
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global epidemic, requiring creative, more sustainable strategies to equip patients with knowledge and tools that allow them to better manage their blood glucose control and prevent disease progression. Studies indicate that empowering diabetic patients through group education and social support enhances self-care and improves glycemic control. Integrative Group Health Visits (IGHV) offer health education to empower individuals with (pre)diabetes. The objective of this study is to describe the development and implementation of an IGHV model for patients with diabetes and prediabetes.
Methods: The study describes the development and implementation of IGHV for diabetic and prediabetic patients at an Integrative Health Sciences University. A 6-week virtual group visit series conducted in Fall 2024 was the first IGHV series for diabetic patients and was developed based on a previously implemented IGHV model for chronic pain. It aimed to blend conventional medicine with complementary approaches, drawing on tools from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Nutritional, Ayurvedic, and Chiropractic perspectives, all while integrating mindfulness and movement-based interventions. Each week, participants engaged in physical and mindfulness activities, discussed topics related to presentations on integrative and alternative care methods for T2DM, and received take-home tools they could apply to their current care regimen. The sessions supported a safe environment and community-friendly setting to encourage patients to share experiences and interchange ideas.
Results: Fifteen patients enrolled and on average 5–6 patients attended each visit. Feedback from both participants and facilitators of the group visits was positive. Participants reported an increase in their knowledge on Diabetes and the benefits of various complementary approaches in managing healthy blood sugars.
Conclusions: IGHV may be a useful additional tool for TCM practitioners to empower their patients. There were several limitations and challenges in the implementation of IGHV. Recruitment, retention, and engagement of participants require meticulous planning, dedicated personnel, and financial support. We also need to find solutions for billing such services.
