99078 Physician or other qualified health care professional qualified by education, training, licensure/regulation (when applicable) educational services rendered to patients in a group setting (eg, prenatal, obesity, or diabetic instructions)

Name of the Procedure:

Group Educational Services by Healthcare Professionals (Prenatal, Obesity, or Diabetes Instructions)

Summary

Group educational services involve a healthcare professional providing guidance, information, and instruction to a group of patients who share common health concerns. This can include education on managing prenatal health, obesity, or diabetes within a group setting.

Purpose

• Medical Condition Addressed: Designed to provide comprehensive education for managing specific health conditions like prenatal care, obesity, or diabetes.
• Goals: Empower patients with knowledge to manage their health condition better, promote healthier lifestyles, and improve overall health outcomes.

Indications

• Symptoms/Conditions: Pregnant women, individuals with obesity, patients diagnosed with diabetes.
• Patient Criteria: Individuals needing specialized educational support to manage their condition, often recommended by their primary healthcare provider.

Preparation

• Pre-procedure Instructions: No specific preparation is required, but patients should bring a list of questions and any relevant medical information.
• Diagnostic Tests: Not typically required ahead of the education sessions.

Procedure Description

• Steps:
  1. Introduction by the healthcare professional detailing the session's agenda.
  2. Presentation of foundational knowledge about the specific condition (e.g., prenatal care guidelines, dietary recommendations for obesity, blood sugar management for diabetes).
  3. Interactive discussions and Q&A session to address patient concerns.
  4. Distribution of educational materials and resources for further reference.
  5. Group activities or demonstrations may be included.
• Tools and Equipment: Educational materials, presentation tools (e.g., slides, handouts), and sometimes models for demonstration purposes.
• Anesthesia or Sedation: None required.

Duration

Each session typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours.

Setting

These sessions are usually conducted in community health centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, or wellness centers.

Personnel

• Involved Professionals: Qualified healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, dietitians, or diabetes educators.

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Minimal risks associated with the education itself.
• Rare Risks: Potential for misunderstanding or misinformation without follow-up, managed by ensuring access to professional support post-session.

Benefits

• Expected Benefits: Improved patient knowledge and self-management skills, which can lead to better health outcomes and quality of life.
• Realization Timeline: Benefits can be observed as soon as patients begin to implement the learned strategies.

Recovery

• Post-procedure Care: Follow-up appointments or continued access to educational resources may be recommended.
• Recovery Time: Not applicable as this is an educational service.
• Restrictions: None, but patients should work on applying the learned knowledge.

Alternatives

• Other Options: One-on-one educational sessions, online courses, or telehealth consultations.
• Pros and Cons: Group settings offer peer support and shared learning experiences; however, one-on-one sessions provide personalized education.

Patient Experience

• During the Procedure: Patients may feel engaged, supported, and empowered by interacting with peers and healthcare professionals.
• After the Procedure: They might feel more confident in managing their condition with the educational knowledge gained. Pain and discomfort are not typically involved, but ongoing support is generally available to address any queries.