How to Manage Holiday Requests
With the summer holidays about the start, and the sun beginning to shine, it is...
General Practitioners and Balint groups
We would be keen to welcome new GPs to our regular monthly Balint group held in Cotham in Bristol.
We know that although many health professionals work within an established culture of clinical supervision GPs rarely organise supervision for themselves and it is not an expectation or requirement for ongoing clinical practice. This is surprising as the nature of General Practice means it is easy to feel rather isolated and at times ‘out of one’s depth’ with complex patients.
Balint groups, pioneered at the Tavistock Clinic 50 years ago, have been the most enduring model for GP supervision. The Balint method consists of case presentation followed by general group discussion with the emphasis on the emotional content of the doctor-patient relationship.
Balint groups offer a safe place where GPs can share the experience of their work and feel supported by their peers. As a result of participation in a series of Balint groups GPs could expect to feel listened to, supported and understood when they present cases, become more tolerant of ‘difficult’ patients, be more empathic to patients’ feelings including negative ones and become more aware of their own feelings in a consultation and able to use this information in reaching a diagnosis. They may also gain some insight into why they find some patients particularly difficult or disturbing. GPs who have experienced Balint groups have shared their comments quoted below.
“Balint Group: time to discuss & reflect on difficult cases; opportunity to talk about personal difficulties at work.”
“A Balint group offers me time and space to discuss the difficult consultations I encounter, those patients I feel are “ stuck “ and who I need help in changing my approach to. It helps me unpick a consultation that has unravelled and allows time and opportunity to discuss the reasons why I was left with certain feelings about that patient or situation. I find in future discussions with a patient I may reflect back more and be more curious as to how their symptoms make them feel.”
“The Balint group makes you recognise how difficult patients make you feel, why they make you feel that way and helps you to make progress with heart-sink patients as a result.”
“It provides the opportunity to discuss complex patients with your colleagues and look at problems from a psychological/psychotherapeutic perspective.”
“It introduces a new and intellectually exciting component to my practice.”
“It’s a valuable tool for preventing GP burnout.”
“It fosters team spirit sharing problems and experience. Very supportive when struggling with difficult cases.”
“It helps to provide a new stance when ‘stuck’.”
“Peer support. Seeing the whole picture”
We feel these comments speak for themselves – do get in touch if you are interested and join us for a free taster session
Judy Malone 07906479564 and Liz Lee 07505268668