Lessons Learned: Group Sessions via Zoom
Nov 4, 2020 16:32:20 GMT -5
John Craine, Marena Burnett, and 2 more like this
Post by Tanya Munroe on Nov 4, 2020 16:32:20 GMT -5
Thanks to Joandalys Tejada, MPH, Maternal Health and Centering Coordinator at The Institute for Family Health in New York City for sharing her experience!
The use of Zoom for the virtual groups has worked well as many patients are familiar with Zoom and use it for work and/or to assist with their children’s remote learning. We have noticed that patients usually sign into the meeting on-time (more punctual than during in-person Centering!) and are very considerate about not speaking over each other. The groups started to warm up to each other after the first few sessions, but remain quieter than a typical in-person Centering session. We have found it helps to call on individual participants to ask for their experiences and perspectives. To avoid creating a “classroom like” environment and to promote more patient participation, we have tried out different methods for facilitating the flow of the group, such as using the polls on Zoom, PowerPoint presentations with more visuals than words, videos, using emojis, and the raising hand function on Zoom. We have also found it helpful to include different types of media and activities including thumbs up/thumbs down statements, sharing videos and pictures, and free-form discussion.
Two specific examples of successful virtual group experiences include one session where patients demonstrated and taught each other how to use the blood pressure cuffs and the sessions when patients reunited and celebrated post-delivery. One of these groups included patients who had difficult deliveries and birth complications. These women were able to share their birth stories and receive support knowing there were others who had gone through similar experiences.
The challenges we face with virtual Centering Pregnancy include operational issues that are largely due to ongoing changes to provider schedules and workflows since the onset of the pandemic. The changes in provider schedules determine whether providers are able to incorporate Centering sessions into their schedules. This has had a significant impact on our ability to sustain Centering at pre-pandemic levels.
The average size of the virtual groups has been five patients while our aim is to have eight patients per group. The initial use of the breakout rooms on Zoom whereby providers met with patients individually for their check-ins, was challenging as the provider and patients went in and out during the discussions and it felt disruptive. To address this, the provider modified the check ins by either conducting them in the beginning or when the group ended if patients joined after the group session has started.
Patients have stated that they prefer in person visits rather than virtual visits because of the physical assessments, such as belly checks and listening to fetal heart tones. However, patients indicate they value the education and support from the group sessions, including virtual groups.
The use of Zoom for the virtual groups has worked well as many patients are familiar with Zoom and use it for work and/or to assist with their children’s remote learning. We have noticed that patients usually sign into the meeting on-time (more punctual than during in-person Centering!) and are very considerate about not speaking over each other. The groups started to warm up to each other after the first few sessions, but remain quieter than a typical in-person Centering session. We have found it helps to call on individual participants to ask for their experiences and perspectives. To avoid creating a “classroom like” environment and to promote more patient participation, we have tried out different methods for facilitating the flow of the group, such as using the polls on Zoom, PowerPoint presentations with more visuals than words, videos, using emojis, and the raising hand function on Zoom. We have also found it helpful to include different types of media and activities including thumbs up/thumbs down statements, sharing videos and pictures, and free-form discussion.
Two specific examples of successful virtual group experiences include one session where patients demonstrated and taught each other how to use the blood pressure cuffs and the sessions when patients reunited and celebrated post-delivery. One of these groups included patients who had difficult deliveries and birth complications. These women were able to share their birth stories and receive support knowing there were others who had gone through similar experiences.
The challenges we face with virtual Centering Pregnancy include operational issues that are largely due to ongoing changes to provider schedules and workflows since the onset of the pandemic. The changes in provider schedules determine whether providers are able to incorporate Centering sessions into their schedules. This has had a significant impact on our ability to sustain Centering at pre-pandemic levels.
The average size of the virtual groups has been five patients while our aim is to have eight patients per group. The initial use of the breakout rooms on Zoom whereby providers met with patients individually for their check-ins, was challenging as the provider and patients went in and out during the discussions and it felt disruptive. To address this, the provider modified the check ins by either conducting them in the beginning or when the group ended if patients joined after the group session has started.
Patients have stated that they prefer in person visits rather than virtual visits because of the physical assessments, such as belly checks and listening to fetal heart tones. However, patients indicate they value the education and support from the group sessions, including virtual groups.
