Using Shared Medical Appointments in Your Practice

Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are clinic visits in which a nurse practitioner delivers care to each patient in a group setting, usually in conjunction with other health care professionals. The SMA model is underused, despite growing evidence of its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes, increasing patient and health care provider satisfaction, and increasing productivity and revenue. This report provides practical advice for nurse practitioners interested in using this innovative health care delivery method. •Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are an underused health care delivery model.•The SMA model draws from Social Cognitive Theory and the Chronic Care Model.•SMA benefits include patients providing peer support and self-management tips and team members providing education and coordination.•SMA can increase revenue.•Practice considerations include appointment length, size and frequency, closed vs open cohort, team structure, location, marketing and patient recruitment, documentation, coding and billing, and data collection.