We performed a two-site, randomized, controlled trial of group medical visits for diabetes management. Patients were patients in primary care at the Durham or Richmond VAMC's who had inadequate control of both their blood sugar and their blood pressure. We excluded patients with life-limiting illness. Patients randomized to the control arm received usual primary care. Patients randomized to the intervention arm were assigned to attend a group medical clinic every two months for one year. In the clinic, a primary care physician, with the assistance of a nurse and a pharmacist, measured blood pressure at the point of care, reviewed blood sugar logs, and then made all necessary medical changes for patients with diabetes. The primary outcomes were hemoglobin A1c and systolic blood pressure. Additional outcomes will be serum LDL-cholesterol, diabetes-specific quality of life, and health services utilization. Formative evaluation was undertaken to determine the mechanism of the intervention and to prepare for more successful dissemination if the intervention is effective. Formal cost analysis will be performed and cost-effectiveness analysis will be undertaken. All outcomes were measured at baseline, and 6 and 12 months after the beginning of the intervention.