How doctors learn in a Balint group

Abstract

The discussions are led by a psychoanalyst, or someone in touch with the approach fostered by psychoanalysis, and the group is helped to develop an atmosphere of tolerance and safety. Participants are thus able to discuss cases that represent the personal difficulties they are currently experiencing in their daily work. This report is about one group whose members agreed to allow the process of their work to be studied. It describes how they went about learning from their daily experience with patients by using the group to work through their difficulties. It also describes methods used to assess the quality of learning and the changes in personal attitudes. A Balint group has a safe and defined mode of working but no specific agenda, save that provided by the personal cases presented by those who come regularly to its sessions. This study aims to describe the kind of experience such a group can offer to intending participants.