Patient Perspectives on Lifestyle Medicine Virtual Group Visits

Abstract

Lifestyle Medicine Virtual Group Visits (LMVGVs) have potential for providing effective lifestyle education and counseling to patients who have or are at risk for chronic disease. The purpose of this study was to assess primary care patients' motivations for participation in and preferences for future engagement with LMVGVs. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in an academic community-based clinic. A total of 111 patients who signed up for LMVGVs between September 2020 and August 2021 completed the survey between February and April 2022. Patient demographics and LMVGV attendance data were collected from the medical record. The most common reported reasons for signing up for LMVGVs were to focus on lifestyle changes and to lower chronic disease risk. The most common reasons for attending subsequent LMVGVs were the focus on healthy lifestyle changes and the positive focus of the groups. Almost all (98%) respondents who attended ≥5 LMVGVs indicated they would recommend LMVGVs to family or friends. Most respondents preferred monthly LMVGVs, including 71% of those who attended ≥5 LMVGVs. These findings inform efforts to develop LMVGVs that are feasible and acceptable to patients, contributing to the promotion of lifestyle behaviors that aid in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease.

Keywords: attitudes; knowledge; perceptions; prevention; survey.

Figure 1.

Reason for signing up for initial LMVGV (N = 111). Survey respondents signed up to participate in ≥1 LMVGV between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. Surveys were mailed to patient’s homes between February 7, 2020 and March 23, 2020. Respondents were able to check all responses that applied.

Figure 2.

Reason for attending subsequent LMVGVs for survey respondents who reported attending more than one visit (N = 77). Survey respondents signed up to participate in ≥1 LMVGV between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. Surveys were mailed to patient’s homes between February 7, 2020 and March 23, 2020. Respondents were able to check all responses that applied.