Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Introduction
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
Video and hybrid
group clinics
A quick guide for practitioners
Start
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
This guide will help you deliver video and hybrid group clinics that are inclusive and efficient. Video participation in group clinics may be suitable for patients who do not need a physical examination and who can communicate via video. Deciding when to offer a clinic on video (with all participants attending remotely), in person (with all participants attending on site), in hybrid format (involving some in-person and some remote participants), or on a one-to-one basis, should be clinically led.
Learning from other patients and healthcare staff
Discussing treatment and clinical advice
Supporting each other
Group clinics
2 / 13
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
We know that video and hybrid group clinics can sometimes be challenging. Informed by research, this guide aims to help sessions run smoothly and efficiently and create an environment that feels inclusive for everyone.
3 / 13
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
Why choose video and hybrid group clinics?
If run well, they can offer helpful access options for those who find in-person attendance difficult
To provide clinical support more quickly.
To encourage a sense of peer support and community.
To review and discuss clinical treatment alongside patients’ everyday life experiences.
4 / 13
Principles
Resources
Running your clinic
Partners
Preparation
Introduction
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Principles of group clinics
Think about the support patients need before, during and after a group consultation – and remember to tell them how long the session will last
- Create an environment (both physical and digital) that works for your patients whether they are joining online or in person.
- Plan the administrative processes and resources that you need to invite, schedule, follow up and remind patients about future sessions.
- Ensure your patients know what to expect, especially around sharing personal results and experiences, and see if they prefer alternatives.
- Help your patients access and participate in the session.
- Ensure that staff involved are adequately resourced, both for clinical consulting and for organising and coordinating.
5 / 13
Resources
Running your clinic
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Preparation
Send reminders as a way to increase attendance rates
Preparation
In hybrid sessions make sure all participants can take part equally well through facilitation. Set the camera angle so that everyone is faced towards each other.
Have patients’ contact numbers ready and any details needed for identification and in case of emergencies. Check they feel able and confident to participate.
Provide instructions via a call, email or letter on:
Use a well-lit, private room with a good internet connection and appropriate computer, well-placed camera, sound system and screen.
- What will happen
- How to join, including the offer of a test call
- What is expected from patients
6 / 13
Resources
Running your clinic
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Preparation
Preparation
Consider accessibility and participation needs and how you will manage them, e.g. through supporting turn-taking, screen reading, providing audio description, etc
Adapt your approach and information depending on your patients’ needs and abilities, e.g. medical condition, literacy, disability.
Prepare materials to use during the session and decide how you’ll make follow-up notes. Make sure the group size is appropriate for your room and equipment.
In video group clinics it's best to have two screens, if possible, to read or take notes on one and see patients on the other.
7 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Starting your clinic
Introduce colleagues and provide some information about the group. Allow flexibility for patients to introduce themselves so they feel comfortable.
Ensure patients are clear about ground rules, the structure of the session and what you’d like from them. Let them know how long the session will last for.
Start the clinic early and ensure everyone can see and hear each other. Encourage patients to keep cameras on to help the session, but reassure them it is optional.
Confirm patients’ identity and their accessibility and participation needs before starting the clinic.
8 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Running your clinic
Let patients know about alternative consultation options if they want to discuss anything privately, e.g. show an area of pain.
Video consulting can be similar to face to face, but be prepared for technical glitches, e.g. audio delays or blurry images.
Inform patients when you are otherwise occupied, e.g. taking notes.
Try to make eye contact with all participants, in person and video. This helps people focus on the conversation and can improve understanding.
9 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Running your clinic
Make sure that everyone is able to participate meaningfully
Remain aware of group dynamics and individual body language, and allow patients to decide what they would like to reveal in the session.
Try to sustain energy and participation so everyone feels they are benefitting and has a turn to speak.
Make notes for each patient so they can be recorded as in a one-to-one appointment. Encourage patients to make notes too, when relevant.
10 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Ending your clinic
If you share resources or leaflets at the end of a hybrid session, remember to email digital versions to any patients who joined online
Arrange any follow-up depending on clinical indications and patient preferences.
Summarise the main points of the clinic to ensure nothing is missed and check each patient is happy with their personal plan.
11 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Partners
Partners
This guide has been developed drawing on data collected from observations and interviews with patients, staff and other stakeholders involved in video and hybrid group consultations in English general practice as part of the Together 2 study.
Produced by
In collaboration with
Funded by
12 / 13
Preparation
Running your clinic
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Further resources
Publicly available support resources from other organisations can be found using the links below:
• NHS England elearning programme • Experience led care programme
• Group consultations
• Microsoft Teams disability support
• RNIB accessibility support
• AbilityNet online meeting support
• Internet Society disability support
• The Commons Library tips
13 / 13
Group consulting - staff
Design Science
Created on May 8, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Discover Your AI Assistant
View
Urban Illustrated Presentation
View
Geographical Challenge: Drag to the map
View
Decisions and Behaviors in the Workplace
View
Tangram Game
View
Process Flow: Corporate Recruitment
View
Weekly Corporate Challenge
Explore all templates
Transcript
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Introduction
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
Video and hybrid group clinics
A quick guide for practitioners
Start
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
This guide will help you deliver video and hybrid group clinics that are inclusive and efficient. Video participation in group clinics may be suitable for patients who do not need a physical examination and who can communicate via video. Deciding when to offer a clinic on video (with all participants attending remotely), in person (with all participants attending on site), in hybrid format (involving some in-person and some remote participants), or on a one-to-one basis, should be clinically led.
Learning from other patients and healthcare staff
Discussing treatment and clinical advice
Supporting each other
Group clinics
2 / 13
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
We know that video and hybrid group clinics can sometimes be challenging. Informed by research, this guide aims to help sessions run smoothly and efficiently and create an environment that feels inclusive for everyone.
3 / 13
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Partners
Preparation
Preparation
Partners
Principles
Running your clinic
Resources
Why choose video and hybrid group clinics?
If run well, they can offer helpful access options for those who find in-person attendance difficult
To provide clinical support more quickly.
To encourage a sense of peer support and community.
To review and discuss clinical treatment alongside patients’ everyday life experiences.
4 / 13
Principles
Resources
Running your clinic
Partners
Preparation
Introduction
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Principles of group clinics
Think about the support patients need before, during and after a group consultation – and remember to tell them how long the session will last
5 / 13
Resources
Running your clinic
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Preparation
Send reminders as a way to increase attendance rates
Preparation
In hybrid sessions make sure all participants can take part equally well through facilitation. Set the camera angle so that everyone is faced towards each other.
Have patients’ contact numbers ready and any details needed for identification and in case of emergencies. Check they feel able and confident to participate.
Provide instructions via a call, email or letter on:
Use a well-lit, private room with a good internet connection and appropriate computer, well-placed camera, sound system and screen.
6 / 13
Resources
Running your clinic
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Preparation
Preparation
Consider accessibility and participation needs and how you will manage them, e.g. through supporting turn-taking, screen reading, providing audio description, etc
Adapt your approach and information depending on your patients’ needs and abilities, e.g. medical condition, literacy, disability.
Prepare materials to use during the session and decide how you’ll make follow-up notes. Make sure the group size is appropriate for your room and equipment.
In video group clinics it's best to have two screens, if possible, to read or take notes on one and see patients on the other.
7 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Starting your clinic
Introduce colleagues and provide some information about the group. Allow flexibility for patients to introduce themselves so they feel comfortable.
Ensure patients are clear about ground rules, the structure of the session and what you’d like from them. Let them know how long the session will last for.
Start the clinic early and ensure everyone can see and hear each other. Encourage patients to keep cameras on to help the session, but reassure them it is optional.
Confirm patients’ identity and their accessibility and participation needs before starting the clinic.
8 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Running your clinic
Let patients know about alternative consultation options if they want to discuss anything privately, e.g. show an area of pain.
Video consulting can be similar to face to face, but be prepared for technical glitches, e.g. audio delays or blurry images.
Inform patients when you are otherwise occupied, e.g. taking notes.
Try to make eye contact with all participants, in person and video. This helps people focus on the conversation and can improve understanding.
9 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Running your clinic
Make sure that everyone is able to participate meaningfully
Remain aware of group dynamics and individual body language, and allow patients to decide what they would like to reveal in the session.
Try to sustain energy and participation so everyone feels they are benefitting and has a turn to speak.
Make notes for each patient so they can be recorded as in a one-to-one appointment. Encourage patients to make notes too, when relevant.
10 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Resources
Running your clinic
Ending your clinic
If you share resources or leaflets at the end of a hybrid session, remember to email digital versions to any patients who joined online
Arrange any follow-up depending on clinical indications and patient preferences.
Summarise the main points of the clinic to ensure nothing is missed and check each patient is happy with their personal plan.
11 / 13
Preparation
Resources
Running your clinic
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Partners
Partners
This guide has been developed drawing on data collected from observations and interviews with patients, staff and other stakeholders involved in video and hybrid group consultations in English general practice as part of the Together 2 study.
Produced by
In collaboration with
Funded by
12 / 13
Preparation
Running your clinic
Partners
Principles
Introduction
Principles
Preparation
Partners
Introduction
Running your clinic
Resources
Further resources
Publicly available support resources from other organisations can be found using the links below:
• NHS England elearning programme • Experience led care programme • Group consultations • Microsoft Teams disability support • RNIB accessibility support • AbilityNet online meeting support • Internet Society disability support • The Commons Library tips
13 / 13