Group Consultation Appointments
A New Approach to Managing Your Menopause
Group Consultations
Managing your menopause can feel overwhelming at times, but help is available in a new and exciting way.
Group consultations give expert care in a small group. They offer personal support and a chance to share and learn from others.
Many people find these sessions helpful. They can build your confidence and help you make positive changes in your life.
You might even get answers to questions you didn’t know you had. And you’ll feel supported every step of the way.
What happens in a Group Consultation?
You’ll join a group of about 10 people who want to talk about their health and well-being.
The group meets at a set time with a facilitator, an administrator, and a specialist.
Each session lasts around 90 minutes. This gives you more time to ask questions and learn than in a one-to-one appointment.
How does it work?
A trained facilitator leads the session and keeps things running smoothly.
There are a few parts to the consultation:
- Introductions – Everyone briefly shares who they are and why they joined.
- Results Board – The facilitator helps you fill out a simple chart. This might include symptoms, blood pressure, and treatments you’ve tried.
- Question Time – You’ll be asked to think of a question about your own experience.
- Expert Talk – The clinical expert talks about common issues seen in the group.
- One-to-One Time – Each person has a short chat with the expert, while others listen and learn.
- Reflection and Goals – The group talks about what they’ve learned. You’ll be asked to set a small goal to help you move forward.
What Results Do People Get?
Group consultation appointments can make a big difference. After group consultation programmes in a GP practice in Scotland, patienrs reported:
Improved Confidence
Before the sessions, patient confidence in managing menopause ranged from 30% to 70%.
Afterwards, it has increased to 80% to 100%.
Improved Access
Before the sessions, only 10% to 40% of patients felt that had good access to GP care.
Afterwards, the range was now 80% to 100%.