Balint Group for Physicians

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Drs Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning are offering an evening virtual Balint group for those physicians who are interested in this type of support during the pandemic.  Balint groups are closed groups of 8-14 physicians who use case-based discussion to provide and receive support around emotions and ethical dilemmas arising in their work.  These groups have been shown to reduce burn-out while improving communication skills and empathy.  

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Format:

Closed (not drop-in) weekly group session for 6 weeks, sessions are 1 hour long.  The first group would be 1.5 hours to allow us to give an introduction/set ground rules/answer questions.  

 

At 6 weeks, a new group will start. At this point, members can re-enroll, and new members can enroll.  Though the group is closed, we understand that people may miss some sessions. However, as new members cannot enter until the 6 week  cycle is complete, we ask that people make their best effort to attend all sessions. This is important to ensure the group's effectiveness.  

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To register or find out more, please email alexandra.manning@nshealth.ca.

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In the e-mail please state which of the options below are your preferred time/day-of-the-week, and which are feasible, though not preferred:

• Mondays at 5, 6, or 7 PM

• Tuesdays at 7 PM

• Wednesdays at 6 or 7 PM

• Fridays at 5, 6, or 7 PM

 

*Start date will be clarified once their are enough participants to start the group.

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More about Balint Groups

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Balint groups are co-facilitated by two leaders. 

• Physician group member presents a case that has stayed with them.  Can present as much or as little about the emotions the physician is feeling and why the case has stayed with them

• Group is given the opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the case - questions that would help the group consider the nature of the doctor/patient relationship in this case

• Presenter sits back and is no longer directly addressed, and listens but does not add to the ensuing discussion

• Group reflects on/discusses how they would feel if they were the doctor in this case, the patient, and any other important parties (a patient's parent, a nurse who is heavily involved, etc.) 

• Group reflects on/discusses what may be going on in the doctor/patient relationship in this case

• Presenter is invited to re-join the discussion, and discussion continues

• Group ends on time

Ground rules include:

• No treatment planning

• No advice giving

• What happens in Balint stays in Balint

• No matter how extreme you may think a physician's or patient's actions in the case were, rather than thinking "I would never do that!," think "under what circumstances might I do that?" 

• People can share as much or as little as they like