RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Medical Visits for Anxiety and Depression

This study is exploring a new way to help people with anxiety and depression: group medical visits. It wants to find out if these group sessions are practical for patients and if they like them. Researchers will also get early ideas on whether these groups actually help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. This initial information will be vital for designing larger, more definitive studies later on. The study is a pilot, meaning it’s a small-scale trial, and will randomly assign participants to either attend six months of virtual group sessions or receive their usual care. These virtual sessions are similar to regular check-ups with a mental health professional, but in a group setting. Those in the usual care group will continue to see their family doctor, or receive individual care or therapy referrals as needed.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Manitoba

Enrolment target

Start

15 Apr 2025

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2025

Mental Health Care Anxiety and Depression Pilot Study

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a new approach to help people who are experiencing anxiety and depression. It's called 'Group Medical Visits' (GMVs). Imagine having a regular check-up or follow-up appointment with a mental health professional, but instead of being alone, you're part of a small group of people who are also dealing with similar feelings. This study wants to find out if these group sessions are a good idea – are they easy to set up, do people like them, and could they potentially help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression?

The main goal is to see if GMVs are practical and acceptable for people with anxiety and depression. It's a 'pilot study,' which means it's a smaller-scale trial designed to gather important early information. This information will be used to plan a larger study in the future. In this study, some people will be randomly chosen to take part in the group medical visits for six months, while others will continue with their usual mental health care.

For those in the group medical visits, they will attend online sessions every two weeks. For those receiving their usual care, this might include follow-ups with their GP, individual appointments with a psychiatrist if suggested, or referrals to other therapy groups. The study is important because it could lead to new ways of providing mental health support that might be more accessible or helpful for many people.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new group approach for anxiety and depression.
It aims to find out if group medical visits are practical and helpful.
Participation involves either virtual group sessions or usual care for six months.
The findings will help plan future, larger mental health studies.
You must live in Manitoba and be able to participate in English online.
You can stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for adults who have been referred to a mental health specialist by their family doctor. You would need to be primarily experiencing anxiety (like social anxiety, general anxiety, or panic attacks) or depression (including major depression or long-term depression). You must also be able to join an English-speaking online group of up to 10 people and commit to attending virtual sessions every two weeks from a private place with camera access. You also need to live in Manitoba and plan to stay there for the next six months.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have Bipolar 1 or 2 Disorder, or if your main issue is a personality disorder that causes your anxiety or depression. If you already see a psychiatrist regularly, or if you've had ECT treatment in the last six months, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you have certain conditions that might make it very difficult to take part in a group, such as severe substance use issues, current symptoms of psychosis, a significant intellectual disability, severe eating disorder symptoms, or recent self-harm requiring medical help or thoughts of suicide, you would not be eligible. They also need to make sure everyone in the group, and the people running it, will be safe.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult with primary anxiety or depression?
Were you referred to a mental health specialist by your family doctor?
Can you participate in online group sessions in English, from a private place with a camera?
Do you live in Manitoba and plan to stay for the next 6 months?
Do you NOT have Bipolar 1 or 2 Disorder, or severe substance use/psychotic symptoms?
Are you NOT currently seeing a psychiatrist regularly for ongoing care?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will attend virtual group medical visits every two weeks for about 1.5 hours each session, over a total of six months. These sessions will be held online, so you'll need a private space and a device with a camera. The other group will continue to receive their usual care for six months, which means seeing your family doctor, or getting individual psychiatric care or therapy referrals if recommended by a mental health professional. All participants will have their anxiety and depression levels checked at the beginning of the study and then again at the end of the six months. No specific changes to your current medications are required for this study, and you can withdraw at any time.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that if you are in the group medical visits, you might find the group support and discussions helpful for your anxiety or depression. Even if you are in the usual care group, your involvement still helps researchers understand valuable information about different approaches to mental health care, which could help others in the future. Possible risks are generally low, but discussing personal difficulties in a group setting can sometimes be uncomfortable or tiring. Remember that you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without having to give a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

PsycHealth Centre
Verified postcode
Winnipeg, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What are 'Group Medical Visits'?

They are virtual group sessions, similar to regular follow-up appointments with a mental health professional, but done in a group setting with other patients. They happen every two weeks.

Will I be guaranteed to join the group sessions?

No, participants are randomly assigned. This means you might be assigned to the group medical visits or to continue with your usual care.

How long does the study last?

The study lasts for six months, regardless of whether you're in the group visits or receiving usual care.

Do I need to change my medication to join?

No, the study does not require you to change your current medications.

Can I leave the study if I want to?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Kirsten Penner-Goeke, MD

kpennergoeke2@hsc.mb.ca 204-787-7949 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.