title: Balint groups: the nuts and bolts of making better doctors.
abstract: Balint Group seminars were developed by Michael and Enid Balint based on the application of psychological principles in a group setting for the purpose of developing an improved understanding of the doctor-patient relationship. This article focuses on the development and application of the Balint method to the training of resident physicians (particularly Family Physicians) within the United States. An effort is made to describe the practicalities of resident physician Balint training (e.g., size, frequency, duration of such groups), conceptual underpinnings (e.g., biphasic nature of patient identification, disease versus illness concept, transference/counter-transference, over-identification, under-identification, biphasic nature of physician empathy), and pedagogic goals (mastering empathic skills inherent in being a good doctor) of residency-based Balint groups. In aggregate, this article provides a useful framework for behavioral science educators interested in applying the Balint seminar method to resident physician training. The authors encourage both the continued study and educational application of the Balint seminar method in the training of physicians both within and outside of the United States.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, USA. mahoneyd@musc.edu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thiedke
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mallin
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freedy
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001525:Behavioral Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*