Group Education & Multifaceted Support (GEMS)

The cornerstones of this practice are education and self-empowerment: helping women understand their health and take an active role in improving it.

Group Education and Multifaceted Support (GEMS) sessions are MSP-covered group medical visits that combine evidence-based education, structured discussion, and practical strategies for managing hormonal and metabolic changes or other chronic conditions.

These sessions focus on helping participants understand the science behind their symptoms, learn evidence-based tools for symptom management, and apply lifestyle and behavioural strategies that support long-term wellbeing.

Each GEMS series typically includes three to six 1-hour sessions, blending:
– Education on hormonal, metabolic, and physiological processes
– Skill-building in sleep, stress regulation, nutrition, and movement
– Collaborative discussion in a supportive, physician-led environment

GEMS sessions are available to eligible patients following an initial consultation or referral.

Topics Covered

Foundational Education Series

Current education series topics include:

1. Understanding Hormonal Transitions: What the *** Is Going On in My Body?
A clear, physiology-first explanation of perimenopause and menopause: why symptoms feel chaotic, why patterns shift, and the “why” behind it all.

2. Sleep & Hormones: Will I Ever Feel Rested Again?
How hormonal changes disrupt circadian rhythms and restorative sleep—and what actually helps.

3. Exercise That Targets Perimenopause and Menopause Physiology: Why Your Usual Workout Isn’t Working Anymore
How shifting hormones affect metabolism, body composition, recovery, and stress load, and how to train with your physiology.

4. Nutrition for Hormonal Health: Why Your Nutritional Needs Change (and What to Do About It)
Metabolism, protein needs, blood sugar regulation, gut–hormone pathways, inflammation—and evidence-based nutrition that supports hormonal balance.

5. Stress & Hormonal Health: I Know This Is Not Just Anxiety
The physiology of stress in perimenopause: nervous system sensitivity, cortisol changes, vasomotor triggers, cognitive load. Why this is not “just anxiety,” plus practical regulation strategies.

6. MHT Demystified: The Lowdown on Menopause Hormone Therapy
A grounded, evidence-informed walkthrough of benefits, risks, routes, and individualized decision-making.

This model provides women with the depth of information they deserve with the goal of a true understanding of why they feel the way they do. It also reduces the burden on primary care and on patients by addressing questions that typically require multiple follow-ups.

Current and planned GEMS broad topics focus on women’s hormonal and metabolic health, addressing the key transitions and challenges that arise across the lifespan.

  • Perimenopause and Menopause – Understanding hormonal changes, symptom management, and healthy aging

  • Cycle-Related Symptoms – PMS, PMDD, and mood or energy changes across the menstrual cycle

  • Fertility and Reproductive Health – Hormonal balance, preconception wellness, and support through infertility

  • Metabolic Health – Insulin resistance, midlife weight change, and metabolic syndrome

  • Sleep and Energy Regulation – Fatigue, stress response, and nervous system balance

  • Digestive Health – Gut-hormone connection, bloating, and IBS-type symptoms

  • Emotional and Mental Wellbeing – Mood, cognition, and the neuroendocrine effects of stress and hormonal fluctuation

Each GEMS series is developed in direct response to the themes that arise in women’s lives, evolving as new needs and patterns are identified. The goal is to empower participants with understanding, tools, and strategies to navigate every stage of hormonal change with confidence and clarity.

Format

  • Each GEMS series runs as a 3 to 6 session program, scheduled weekly or biweekly.

  • Sessions last approximately 60 minutes and combine evidence-based education, guided group discussion, and time for individual questions.

  • Visits are billed directly to MSP. There is no private charge for GEMS participation.

Eligibility

  • A referral is required for all patients to participate in GEMS.

  • GEMS programs are designed for women with chronic or complex hormonal and metabolic concerns, such as perimenopause, menopause, and related mood, sleep, or energy changes.

Download Referral Form

Why Group Medical Visits?

Group education allows patients to receive deeper, evidence-based medical teaching than is possible in a standard office visit.

It also fosters a sense of connection and shared experience, helping participants learn from one another, reduce isolation, and feel supported in making lasting changes.

This format enables involvement of multidisciplinary experts, offering practical education, self-management strategies, and tools that patients can integrate into daily life.

Research shows that group medical visits can improve health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and self-efficacy, particularly for individuals managing chronic or lifestyle-responsive conditions.
By combining education, support, and shared learning, GEMS sessions help women move from information to action—building the confidence and skills needed for long-term health and resilience.

References:

¹ Cunningham, A., et al. Group Medical Care: A Systematic Review of Health Service Use, Costs, and Patient Experience. Annals of Family Medicine. 2021; 19(6): 518–528.
² Quiñones, A. R., et al. Educational Group Visits for the Management of Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review. Patient Education and Counseling. 2014; 96(1): 3–12.