Author: Thompson-Lastad A1, Gardiner P2, Chao MT3
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Family Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
<sup>3</sup>Division of General Internal Medicine and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
Conference/Journal: Health Equity.
Date published: 2019 Jan 25
Other:
Volume ID: 3 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 1-8 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1089/heq.2018.0081. eCollection 2019. , Word Count: 199
Purpose: Integrative group medical visits (IGMVs) aim to increase access to complementary and integrative health care, which is particularly relevant for low-income people. We sought to describe IGMV programs in US safety-net clinics through a survey of providers. Methods: An online and paper survey was conducted to collect data on the use of complementary health approaches and characteristics of IGMV programs. We recruited a purposive sample of safety-net clinicians via national meetings and listservs. Results: Fifty-seven clinicians reported on group medical visits. Forty percent worked in federally qualified health centers, 57% in safety-net or teaching hospitals, 23% in other settings such as free clinics. Thirty-seven respondents in 11 states provided care in IGMVs, most commonly for chronic pain and diabetes. Nutrition (70%), mindfulness/meditation/breathing (59%), and tai chi/yoga/other movement practices (51%) were the most common treatment approaches in IGMVs. Conclusion: Safety-net institutions in 11 states offered IGMVs to treat a range of chronic conditions. IGMVs are an innovative model to improve access to non-pharmacologic approaches to chronic illness care and health promotion. They may advance health equity by serving patients negatively impacted by health and health care disparities.
KEYWORDS: chronic disease; community health centers; integrative medicine; safety-net providers
PMID: 30706043 PMCID: PMC6352502 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2018.0081