A balint-oriented case consultation group with residents in family practice: Considerations for training, mentoring, and the doctor-patient relationship

Balint-oriented group training in its traditional form is a case consultation method used by family physicians for learning about the interpersonal complexities of the doctor-patient relationship. In adapting this group method to the training needs of family practice residents, the authors draw upon a range of clinical training group experiences, including Balint's original psychoanalytic perspective with practicing family physicians; Botelho and colleague's family systems approach with family practice residents; as well as Keith and colleague's symbolic-experiential pattern of supervision in family therapy training. Substantial attention is given to the mentoring function of the group leaders in fostering growth and maturity in the professional development of young doctors in training.