For our latest Research Spotlight, Prof. Maria Kordowicz, Director of Programmes – Psychology and Research, shares an insight into her research into the benefits of Shared Medical Appointments for those living with multimorbidity in primary care – and her experience of presenting this at the SAPC Mental Health SIG Primary Care Conference 2026.
As well as being a deep dive into her award-winning research, Maria’s Spotlight highlights the power of sharing research as a way of connecting with others in your field or specialism, sparking new ideas, and discovering new ways of working.
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Presenting at the SAPC Mental Health SIG Primary Care Conference 2026
I recently presented my research on Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) for people living with multimorbidity in primary care at the SAPC Mental Health SIG Primary Care Conference 2026.
The event was a fantastic opportunity to hear from a broad range of researchers, service users, and practitioners committed to driving excellence in primary care mental health research, care delivery and policy development. I was especially thrilled to receive the Best Oral Presentation Award within the Service Innovation and System Integration theme, recognising the contribution of the work to advancing innovative models of care in primary care settings.
About the research
The research explores how Shared Medical Appointments, as an alternative to 1:1 GP appointments, can improve experiences of care for patients living with multiple long-term conditions while also supporting healthcare professionals delivering care in increasingly complex environments.
A central argument emerging from the study is that relationships are fundamental to the success of Shared Medical Appointments. My colleagues and I propose that the relational aspects of care between patients, clinicians, and wider healthcare teams play a critical role in enhancing both patient and staff experiences through group medical appointments. The work highlights the importance of connection, shared understanding, and collaborative care in developing sustainable approaches to managing multimorbidity.
The study contributes to broader discussions on service innovation and integrated care, offering insights into how primary care can better respond to the growing challenges associated with multimorbidity while maintaining person-centred care.
The preprint of the research is available via Qeios: Shared Medical Appointments for Multimorbidity in Primary Care.
What’s next for this research?
While the Shared Medical Appointments project has come to an end, I continue to consult and coach healthcare professionals to help drive continuous service improvement within the NHS and its partner organisations. As an Organisational Psychologist, my current research is focussed on compassionate leadership development, nurse education, quality improvement coaching, and the hyper-normalisation of redundancy in UK Higher Education.
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