PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Tania Jones
AU  - Ara Darzi
AU  - Garry Egger
AU  - Jeannette Ickovics
AU  - Ed Noffsinger
AU  - Kamalini Ramdas
AU  - John Stevens
AU  - Marianne Sumego
AU  - Fraser Birrell
TI  - Process and Systems: A systems approach to embedding group consultations in the NHS
AID  - 10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-8
DP  - 2019 Feb 01
TA  - Future Healthcare Journal
PG  - 8--16
VI  - 6
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/6/1/8.short
4100  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/6/1/8.full
SO  - Future Healthc J2019 Feb 01; 6
AB  - Group consultations are an important care option that is ­starting to gain traction in the USA and Australia. This review summarises the likely benefits accruing from a systems ­approach to implementing group consultations widely in the NHS and other socialised healthcare systems. Existing evidence is mapped to five distinct systems approaches: (1) development; (2) different age groups; (3) patient-centred pathway of care; (4) NHS system changes; and (5) education. Implications are discussed for patients and staff, who both benefit from group consultations once embedded; ranging from improved access and efficiency to more enjoyable multidisciplinary team working, improved resource management, and maintained/better outcomes. Moreover, even patients who don't attend group consultations can benefit from system effects of long-term implementation. Changing behaviour and health systems is challenging, but change requires systematic experimentation and documentation of evidence. We conclude that group consultations have unique potential for delivering system-wide benefits across the NHS.