Teaching the clinical encounter in psychiatry: a trial of Balint groups for medical students

Abstract

Short-term clinical reflection groups can be effectively implemented for medical students in a hospital environment. These groups have the potential to support students in the process of learning to work in doctor-patient relationships, but may encounter significant challenges necessitating adaptation of method and process to context.

Balint groups in undergraduate medical education: a systematic review

“…The overall quality of evidence was mixed (Table 2). Three out of four of the quantitative studies were found to be at high risk of bias (Brazeau et al 1998;Yakeley et al 2011;Parker & Leggett 2012). The non-randomised controlled trial was judged to have a low risk of bias for the majority of domains but lacked information about missing outcome data (Airagnes et al 2014).…”

“…Qualitative analyses identified perceived improvements in relationships with patients (Torppa et al 2008;Stockmann 2015). Mean scores on Likert scale questionnaires were neutral to mildly positive about the improvement in usefulness to patients, communication skills and aspects of thought or practice (Parker & Leggett 2012;Stockmann 2015;O'Neill et al 2016), with mildly increased recognition of the inherent value of the consultation (O'Neill et al 2016).…”

“…Six studies of mixed quality reported greater consideration of the 'doctor-as-person' following group participation (Torppa et al 2008;Yakeley et al 2011;Parker & Leggett 2012;Airagnes et al 2014;Stockmann 2015;O'Neill et al 2016), suggesting Balint groups improve students' awareness of the impact of their own traits on the consultation. Likert scales produced neutral to mildly positive mean scores on improvement of confidence (Parker & Leggett 2012;Stockmann 2015), but stronger agreement that students could appreciate the effects of their own personality on the patient after groups (O'Neill et al 2016). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the IRI item 'fantasy scale' (tendency to get caught up in fictional stories), nor in the ad-hoc questionnaire items 'rejecting attitude' or 'fear of emotion contagion'.…”

Developing Prosthodontic Residents’ Communication Strategies with Edentulous Patients: A Pilot Study

“…Hence, designing the intervention required the in-depth and extensive teamwork of three subject experts to plan and execute the training course. 42 The Balint seminar has been used in family medicine and oncology residencies to improve and strengthen the patient-doctor relationship, improve the physician's communication skills and decrease burnout, and improve job satisfaction and well-being. 7 Balint groups provide a structured process of clinical reflection, through which a doctor's experience of the relationship with a patient can be safely discussed and professionally considered by peers for constructive comments and mutual support.…”

“…41 Parker and Leggett quoted studies that advocated the educational value of Balint group for medical students in building communication and empathic skills. 42 The Balint seminar has been used in family medicine and oncology residencies to improve and strengthen the patient-doctor relationship, improve the physician's communication skills and decrease burnout, and improve job satisfaction and well-being. 43 The sessions allowed residents to see things from the patients' perspective, generating new thoughts and ideas for managing troublesome patients.…”