Balint-style case discussion groups in psychiatric training: an evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
The authors aim to identify any benefits or limitations of psychiatric residents attending a Balint-style case discussion group, to explore those experiences, to study the process of the learning experience, and to identify potential educational implications.


METHODS
Seventeen psychiatric residents and counselors completing two parallel case discussion groups at a U.K. psychotherapy service were given in-depth interviews about their experiences of this training. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative methodology.


RESULTS
The groups were anxiety provoking; most participants were able to progressively accommodate to and benefit from the psychological learning process, but some struggled to adapt.


CONCLUSIONS
Basic psychological competency and the awareness of the self in relation to the patient can be fostered through attendance at a case discussion group. With some limitations, Balint groups continue to be a useful way of introducing young psychiatrists to psychological processes.
Graham
Simon
S
Department of Psychotherapy at Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK.
Gask
Linda
L
Swift
Geraldine
G
Evans
Mark
M
D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom