Group visits to help manage high cholesterol
Improving Care Through Group Medical Visits for Patients With Dyslipidemia
This project will try group medical visits for adults with dyslipidemia to see if they improve care, lifestyle habits, and access to primary care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 288 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dieppe, New Brunswick) |
| Trial ID | NCT07543718 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Group medical visits (GMVs) replace one-on-one primary care appointments with scheduled sessions for patients who share a condition, combining medical assessment, education, prescriptions, and peer discussion. This project will implement GMVs for 144 patients with dyslipidemia at a primary care unit in Dieppe, New Brunswick, and collect data on how the approach is delivered and received. Clinical indicators (including lipid levels), patient-reported outcomes, and health service use will be tracked alongside measures of feasibility and acceptability. The goal is to document whether GMVs can be integrated into routine primary care and whether they affect health behaviors, access, and clinical outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with dyslipidemia meeting Canadian Cardiovascular Society criteria — at minimum an intermediate Framingham cardiovascular risk (10–19.9%) with LDL‑C ≥ 3.5 mmol/L or non‑HDL‑C ≥ 4.2 mmol/L or ApoB ≥ 1.05 g/L — who can attend in-person group sessions and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients unable to participate in group sessions, those with severe cognitive impairment or recent acute psychiatric decompensation, or those with a terminal illness and life expectancy under 12 months are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, GMVs could improve cholesterol control and lifestyle habits, increase access to primary care, and reduce pressure on healthcare services.
How similar studies have performed: GMVs have shown benefits for diabetes and other chronic conditions in prior studies, but they have not been specifically tested for dyslipidemia.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of dyslipidemia according to the guidelines of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, i.e., at a minimum: an intermediate cardiovascular risk according to the Framingham Risk Score (10-19.9%) WITH LDL-C ≥ 3.5 mmol/L or non-HDL-C ≥ 4.2 mmol/L or ApoB ≥ 1.05 g/L Exclusion Criteria: * Patients unable to participate in GMV sessions or to provide informed consent * Patients with a mental health condition likely to limit their ability to benefit from GMV sessions and discussions (Examples: severe dementia or an acute psychiatric decompensation occurring within the past six months) * A diagnosis of terminal illness or a life expectancy of less than 12 months
Where this trial is running
Dieppe, New Brunswick
- Unité de médecine familiale du Grand-Moncton — Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mathieu Belanger, PhD
- Email: mathieu.f.belanger@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: 5068632221
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.