One of the best messages a man can hear about his health issues is that he’s not alone. Tobias Köhler, MD, has taken this concept into motion by introducing group shared medical appointments for men. Dr. Köhler specializes in men’s health and fertility.

These appointments are becoming more prevalent across the country, especially in the area of men’s health. Dr. Köhler began the group shared medical appointments five years ago for those who were interested in getting vasectomies. “We’re going to continue to use this model for other types of appointments such as low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and urinary problems,” Dr. Köhler says.

The 60-minute appointments are in the evening, after work hours. The men watch a video, listen to Dr. Köhler and ask questions. “A lot of times the guys forget the questions they want to ask, but since there’s ten of them, they’re more likely to get all their questions answered because someone else will ask.” After the discussion, the men are examined privately, just as they would be at a regular medical appointment.

“If the patient has a private question, he can ask me in the exam room,” Dr. Köhler says. If the men choose to have a vasectomy, they can make their appointment that night. “Group shared medical appointments are very efficient and a great way to make men more comfortable addressing their health.”