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Balint-Style Case Discussion Groups in Psychiatric Training: An Evaluation

Received September 16, 2007; revised January 27 and May 4, 2008; accepted May 20, 2008. Dr. Graham is affiliated with the Department of Psychotherapy at Mersey Care NHS Trust; Dr. Gask is affiliated with the University of Manchester; Dr. Swift is affiliated with Liaison Psychiatry at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust; Dr. Evans is affiliated with the Department of Psychotherapy at Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Gaskell House. Address correspondence to Linda Gask, NPCRDC, 5th Floor Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL; linda.gask{at}manchester.ac.uk (e-mail).

OBJECTIVES: The authors aim to identify any benefits or limitations of psychiatric residents attending a Balint-style case discussion group, to explore those experiences, to study the process of the learning experience, and to identify potential educational implications. METHODS: Seventeen psychiatric residents and counselors completing two parallel case discussion groups at a U.K. psychotherapy service were given in-depth interviews about their experiences of this training. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative methodology. RESULTS: The groups were anxiety provoking; most participants were able to progressively accommodate to and benefit from the psychological learning process, but some struggled to adapt. CONCLUSION: Basic psychological competency and the awareness of the self in relation to the patient can be fostered through attendance at a case discussion group. With some limitations, Balint groups continue to be a useful way of introducing young psychiatrists to psychological processes.

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