Balint Group Sessions for Medical Students: A Pilot Study

AIMS: The issue of health and well-being amongst the National Health Service (NHS) workforce has never been so prominent. Balint groups are facilitated discussion sessions aiming to help clinicians reach a better understanding of the emotional content of the doctor-patient relationship. Evidence suggests participation decreases rates of burnout and increases empathic ability. A Balint group pilot scheme for medical students was launched within Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), facilitated by both core and higher trainees in psychiatry, and supervised by a consultant psychotherapist. Feedback from both participants and facilitators was collected to gain a greater understanding of how these groups can shape our clinical interactions, and benefit the mental well-being of both patient and doctor. METHODS: We approached the University of Liverpool School of Medicine, who did not have a formal Balint programme, and proposed a pilot scheme with 4th year medical students rotating through psychiatry in CWP. Sessions were conducted in four week blocks, during a student's psychiatry rotation, and were facilitated by two psychiatry trainees. At the end of each block, anonymised feedback was collected, and small alterations were made to the programme during the course of the pilot in response to attendance rates, punctuality and feedback. RESULTS: 143 students participated in the programme in the first 11 cohorts, between September 2021 and December 2022, and 72 (50.3%) submitted feedback forms. 98.6% agreed that the programme helped them reflect more on their interactions with patients, and that it helped them gain insight into how others think and feel when caring for patients. 91.7% enjoyed the groups and 97.3% would use the skills learnt in Balint group in the future. 100% of students gave a positive response when rating their overall experience of the programme. Facilitators reported increased confidence in their psychotherapeutic knowledge, and an improvement in leadership and communication skills. CONCLUSION: The student experience of the Balint programme was positive for the vast majority, and from a facilitator perspective, we have found involvement to be very rewarding. Psychiatry trainee group facilitation was well received by students, allowed a greater number of groups to run, and is beneficial for trainees’ professional development. Before this pilot, approximately only 1/3 of University of Liverpool medical students had the opportunity to attend a Balint group. However, our findings have contributed to a decision by the University of Liverpool to extend the scheme to all 4th year students on psychiatry placement from August 2023.