Virtual Group Visits: Hope for Improving Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT

As health care systems respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, new virtual care approaches are emerging for health promotion and chronic disease management. Virtual group visits (VGVs) supporting a healthy lifestyle, adapted from the well-established shared medical appointment (SMA) model, hold promise as a primary care delivery tool for preventing and managing chronic disease. In order to establish VGVs as standard of care, evidence for clinical effectiveness, financial sustainability, and access for vulnerable populations is needed. In the future, VGVs could improve the quality and reach of chronic disease prevention and management strategies.