In this episode of the Primary Care Knowledge Boost (PCKB) podcast doctors Lisa and Sara are joined by GP and medical educator Dr Alan Ng, a GP working in Canada, to discuss Balint groups. Balint groups are usually made up of a group of clinicians who meet regularly to discuss cases in order to improve their understanding of the doctor-patient relationship.
The podcast covers what Balint groups are, starting with who Balint was. They discuss the structure of a Balint session and why they exist in the form they do.
They also discuss the advantages to both GPs and patients of being part of a Balint group and discussing cases within this forum. Discussions can help gain a deeper understanding of the doctor-patient relationship and help members to learn more about the dynamics and causes of stressors in particular cases.
Listen to the podcast episode at on the Primary Care Knowledge Boost podcast website.
Useful resources:
- UK Balint Society
- American Balint Society
- The International Balint Federation
- Balint, Michael. The Doctor, His Patient and the Illness. Churchill Livingstone 1957, 1963, 2000
- Salinsky, John and Sackin, Paul. What Are You Feeling Doctor? Radcliffe 2000
- Joanne Reeve. Reclaiming general practice: reclaiming our workforce crisis with WiseGP
- Stojanovic-Tasic M, Latas M, Milosevic N, Aritonovic Pribakovic J, Ljusic D, Sapic R, Vucurevic M, Trajkovic G, Grgurevic A. Is Balint training associated with the reduced burnout among primary health care doctors? Libyan J Med. 2018 Dec;13(1):1440123
- Van Roy K, Vanheule S, Inslegers R. Research on Balint groups: A literature review. Patient Educ Couns. 2015 Jun;98(6):685-94
- Player M, Freedy JR, Diaz V, Brock C, Chessman A, Thiedke C, Johnson A. The role of Balint group training in the professional and personal development of family medicine residents. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2018 Jan-Mar;53(1-2):24-38. doi: 10.1177/0091217417745289. Epub 2017 Dec 13
- Kjeldmand D, Holmström I. Balint groups as a means to increase job satisfaction and prevent burnout among general practitioners. Ann Fam Med. 2008 Mar-Apr;6(2):138-45. doi: 10.1370/afm.813
- Mathers and Rowland (1997). General practice-a post-modern speciality? British Journal of General Practice, 47, 177-179
