Exploring the Impact of Group Medical Visits on Loneliness and Mood Among Older Adults with Anxiety and Depression
Description
Group medical visits (GMVs) are clinical encounters involving health care providers meeting with a group of patients that share a common condition or demographic. While GMVs are well-established in chronic disease management, their application in addressing mental illness and loneliness among older adults has been limited.
To address this gap, the Des Moines University Clinic-Behavioral Health implemented monthly GMVs for adults aged 60 and older diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Each group is led by a psychiatrist and/or physician assistant and engages patients in collaborative care planning, psychoeducation, and strategies for managing symptoms.
This retrospective chart review utilizes clinical data routinely collected during these visits to evaluate potential impact on loneliness, self-rated physical and mental health, and symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Each participant is assigned a de-identified study ID, and no personal identifiers are included in the research dataset.
To date, 6 group sessions have occurred, with 6 total patients. Data collection is ongoing and full analyses are not yet possible. Data analysis will include evaluation of change over time for GMV participants (within-subjects analyses) as well as comparison to a comparable control cohort of older adult patients not enrolled in the GMV (between-subjects analyses). The proposed presentation will include descriptive analyses of the GMV participant cohort.
The primary objective is to assess the potential of GMVs to reduce loneliness and improve mental health in older adults with anxiety and depression. This pilot may inform future care models designed to support mental well-being in the geriatric population.
Citation Information
Di Silvestro, Marissa; Van Liew, Julia R.; Streyffeler, Lisa; Schiltz, Abigail; and Brunia, Autumn, "Exploring the Impact of Group Medical Visits on Loneliness and Mood Among Older Adults with Anxiety and Depression" (2026). Office of Research DMU Research Symposium. 44.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2025rs/2025abstracts/44
Exploring the Impact of Group Medical Visits on Loneliness and Mood Among Older Adults with Anxiety and Depression
Group medical visits (GMVs) are clinical encounters involving health care providers meeting with a group of patients that share a common condition or demographic. While GMVs are well-established in chronic disease management, their application in addressing mental illness and loneliness among older adults has been limited.
To address this gap, the Des Moines University Clinic-Behavioral Health implemented monthly GMVs for adults aged 60 and older diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Each group is led by a psychiatrist and/or physician assistant and engages patients in collaborative care planning, psychoeducation, and strategies for managing symptoms.
This retrospective chart review utilizes clinical data routinely collected during these visits to evaluate potential impact on loneliness, self-rated physical and mental health, and symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Each participant is assigned a de-identified study ID, and no personal identifiers are included in the research dataset.
To date, 6 group sessions have occurred, with 6 total patients. Data collection is ongoing and full analyses are not yet possible. Data analysis will include evaluation of change over time for GMV participants (within-subjects analyses) as well as comparison to a comparable control cohort of older adult patients not enrolled in the GMV (between-subjects analyses). The proposed presentation will include descriptive analyses of the GMV participant cohort.
The primary objective is to assess the potential of GMVs to reduce loneliness and improve mental health in older adults with anxiety and depression. This pilot may inform future care models designed to support mental well-being in the geriatric population.
