Patients with chronic pain may benefit from group medical visits

by American Academy of Family Physicians

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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More than one in five U.S. adults lives with chronic pain, which isolation and stigma can worsen. Group medical visits allow multiple patients with a common condition to receive care alongside health education and peer support.

A study published in The Annals of Family Medicine examined how group medical visits facilitate four types of social support: emotional, appraisal, informational and instrumental. Qualitative data were collected within a randomized trial at San Francisco safety-net clinics.

Patients were assigned to group visits consisting of 12 weekly two-hour sessions of clinical care, pain education, mindfulness, gentle movement and discussion. Groups were co-facilitated by primary care and behavioral health clinicians, as well as a movement and mindfulness instructor. Patients reported all four types of social support.

The nonjudgmental space and trust built within the group encouraged emotional support, such as removing shame over late arrivals or absences and naming and discussing grief.

Facilitators gave appraisal support by disclosing their own setbacks, and peers offered affirmations that encouraged self-compassion. Informational support came from the curriculum and from peers, who traded tips like using frozen water bottles for plantar fasciitis. Instrumental support included peers bringing food to share and facilitators referring participants for counseling and other care.

Publication details

Hee Joo Ko et al, Social Support in Group Medical Visits for Chronic Pain in Primary Care, The Annals of Family Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1370/afm.250684

Journal information: Annals of Family Medicine

Key medical concepts

Chronic PainSocial SupportMindfulness

Clinical categories

Family medicinePsychology & Mental health Provided by American Academy of Family Physicians Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

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