Accepted Type
Dedicated Poster
Code
LP2 - 04
Acceptance Declaration
Accept
Additional Information
I declare I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program.
Was this work accepted for CCME 2020?
no
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Poster
Sub Type
Education Innovation
Will the presenter be a:
Resident
Affiliation
Title
Balint Groups: An Initiative to Help Residents Better Understand the Clinician-Patient Relationship
Length of Presentation
Background/Purpose
Balint sessions are an educational tool which allow residents to reflect on challenging experiences with the doctor-patient relationship. Guided by trained facilitators, residents consider these cases from the doctor, patient and doctor-patient perspectives together with their colleagues. Balint groups can support the recognition of the emotional complexity underlying these interactions, which in turn reduces burnout, improves patient care and team dynamics, and strengthens professional identities.
Summary of the Innovation
The University of Toronto Pediatrics Residency Program incorporated Balint groups into the curriculum in 2018. Supported by faculty, residents led their introduction and improvement using Quality Improvement methodology. Outcome measures included perceived comfort levels in navigating and supporting peers through challenging patient-physician encounters, and the perceived culture of support within the program. Rates of group participation were collected as a process measure.
All outcome measures improved between the first and second year of Balint group implementation. Residents' comfort levels in navigating difficult patient-physician encounters increased from a mean of 2.5 (out of a 5-point likert scale) to 3.0, in debriefing complex scenarios from 3.1 to 3.9, and in supporting peers from 3.2 to 3.8. The perceived culture of peer support improved from a mean of 3.5 to 4.2.
Conclusion
Balint groups are a reflective educational tool which have a positive impact on residents' experiences navigating patient relationships. Introducing these sessions at our institution has shown an encouraging trend in improving residents' comfort levels with difficult clinical encounters and fostering a culture of support.
Keyword 1
Balint
Keyword 2
Resilience
Keyword 3
Doctor-patient relationship
Level of Training
Post Graduate
Abstract Themes
Physician & Medical Student Health and Well-being
Additional Theme (First choice)
Postgraduate
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Assessment
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Authors
Presenter
Dayae Jeong
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes
