title: How effective and acceptable is Web 2.0 Balint group participation for general practitioners and general practitioner registrars in regional Australia? A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  General practitioners (GPs) and general practice registrars report work-related stress. Balint groups may improve coping mechanisms. However, attendance at a face-to-face Balint group is difficult for rural doctors due to distance constraints. The study aim was to evaluate online Balint groups for rural doctors and determine effect size for a full-scale trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methods approach, including a pre-post controlled trial and thematic analysis of qualitative data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rural primary care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen GPs and 8 general practice registrars completed the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balint groups were delivered over 8-9 fortnightly online sessions. GPs and GP registrars participated in separate groups. Data were collected on work-related affect, psychological medicine skills and professional isolation using the Warr's Work-Related Affect Scale, the Psychological Medicine Inventory, and a professional isolation scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Change scores on Warr's Work-Related Affect Scale, the Psychological Medicine Inventory, and a professional isolation scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Balint participants' scores were significantly higher post-intervention on the Psychological Medicine Inventory (mean 6.49 (±0.20) versus 5.43 (±0.26); P < 0.01) and Warr's Work-Related Affect (mean 4.09 (±0.09) versus 3.60 (±0.12); P < 0.01) scales than control group scores. Effect size on these scales ranged from 0.46 to 0.50. The greatest challenge was technical problems related to insufficient broadband speed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Online Balint groups appear to improve rural doctors' psychological medicine skills and work-related affect. New data on effect size will inform a full-scale trial. Improved national broadband infrastructure may enhance online support opportunities for rural doctors.
authors.affiliation: North Coast GP Training, Ballina, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Hilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koppe
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.|School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Thea F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: van de Mortel
authors.affiliation: North Coast GP Training, Ballina, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ahern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: rural GP; rural workforce issue; rural/remote GP and rural medicine education; telehealth/telemedicine; workforce