ABSTRACT Background Group consultations (GCs) are increasingly proposed to support lifestyle‐related chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in primary care, yet evidence on how to design and implement GCs in Danish general practice is limited. Aim To explore how patients with T2D and general practitioners perceive the purpose, benefits, and optimal design of GCs, using a participatory design (PD) approach to inform program development. Methods As an exploratory phase of a PD project, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with 21 participants: 10 general practitioners, one practice nurse, and 10 patients with T2D recruited from general practices across Denmark. Interviews covered purpose, organization, group composition, facilitation, and sharing of experiences and clinical data. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation and translated into design‐relevant insights to support subsequent co‐design. Results Participants described two models: an add‐on GC supplementing existing care and an integrated GC embedded in routine T2D management. Across models, stakeholders anticipated benefits from peer support, shared learning, and increased motivation for lifestyle change. Concerns focused on confidentiality, fear of feeling exposed, and sharing personal clinical data—raised mainly by clinicians, whereas patients generally expressed fewer reservations. Key design requirements included a clearly communicated purpose; groups of approximately 8–10 participants; continuity of membership; skilled facilitation by healthcare professionals; and explicit agreements on confidentiality and what clinical data may be shared. Conclusions GCs for T2D should be designed with explicit attention to purpose, setup, and data‐sharing practices. Early involvement of patients and clinicians through PD provides actionable guidance for developing context‐sensitive, acceptable GC programs in Danish general practice and informs subsequent co‐design and testing.
Dahl‐Larsen et al. (Thu,) studied this question.