title: Compassion fatigue and burnout: the role of Balint groups.
abstract: General practitioners are often the 'first port of call' for patients with a range of mental health problems, many of whom have a history of trauma or loss. Exposure to emotionally difficult situations puts them at risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Balint groups are groups of GPs, usually facilitated by a psychiatrist, who discuss the doctor-patient relationship and provide peer support. Participation in Balint groups, along with other professional and personal activities, has the potential to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout in participants.
authors.affiliation: Migrant Health Service, Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Magraith
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome