BALINT GROUPS
Balint groups are structured group processes that have been shown to improve multiple components of physician wellbeing by bringing providers together to focus on relationship-centered care. RIH staff have trained with the American Balint Society and have led Balint groups for healthcare practices across the country.
For practices in the San Francisco Bay Area, we can serve as Balint facilitators and for those outside the SF Bay Area, we can facilitate virtual Balint groups. We also provide guidance on starting your own group and offer ongoing consultation.
What are Balint Groups?
Balint groups are a circle of doctors and/or non-physician clinicians who meet regularly to discuss cases focusing on the doctor-patient relationship.
Physicians are traditionally trained to seek the “right” answer to medical problems using strictly logical and deductive reasoning. But this purely cognitive approach can sometimes leave clinicians feeling frustrated, troubled, or wondering what went wrong with their patient.
In a Balint group, the focal point is on enhancing the clinician’s ability to connect with and care for the patient using empathetic orientations. The provider, the patient, and their relationship are explored intuitively and collaboratively with peers.
From group discussion, new insights, patterns, or choices that emerge from discussion can enhance and inform the doctor-patient relationship. This process often expands physicians’ perspective and empathy and, over time, increases their sense of self awareness, self-efficacy, and community.
Benefits for the Provider
Developing increased understanding and empathy for patients and their experience of thier illness.
Expanding capacity and repertoire for handling difficult situations with patients.
Becoming more aware and accepting of one’s conscious and unconscious responses to different patients; physicians can safely explore their own assumptions, beliefs, and biases.
Understanding better how one’s own feelings and conditioning impact the doctor-patient relationship.
Recognizing you are not alone in experiencing challenging interactions with patients, thereby reducing stigma and improving group cohesiveness.