Re‐imagining healthcare delivery in the era of COVID‐19

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic has exposed the deficiencies of the current healthcare system of the disconnect between primary and tertiary care and increasing subspecialisation, the focus on acute episodic care rather than on prevention in a time where chronic disease prevails and an inefficient use of healthcare resources. Herein, we present the case for an alternative model of healthcare delivery – Shared Medical Appointments – which are efficient, effective, empowering and can be transitioned to the virtual environment successfully. We highlight the barriers to implementation and how these can be overcome. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Implementation of a virtual, shared medical appointment program that focuses on food as medicine principles in a population with obesity: the SLIM program

“…Patients receive clinical care such as check-ins with a physician, physical exams, medication management, patient education, and peer support ( 12 , 13 ). SMAs have been shown to improve patient access, self-efficacy, self-care ( 13 ), clinician and patient satisfaction ( 14 ), and clinical outcomes ( 11 , 15 ), while reducing cost ( 15 ) and repetition of health information by the practitioner due to the group session format ( 16 ). Notably, patients with obesity who attend weight management SMAs have been found to sustain significantly more weight loss for up to 12 months compared to patients who receive the standard of care ( 17 ).…”