The use of groups for well-child care

A controlled study was conducted to examine the use of groups for well-child care in the office setting. Group visits were compared to traditional visits by assessing the efficiency, efficacy, content and process of visits as well as patients satisfaction. The group method was efficient, requiring no more provider time per pair the individual visits. The group method effectively changed the process of content of the well-child visits and was acceptable to the sample population. While few changes in health care utilization were found, mothers in the experimental group completed more well-child visits and sought less advice between visits than mothers in the control group. The group method offers and alternative method of care which is noteworthy of further investigation and implementation