Balint Groups

Balint groups are a powerful experiential method of training therapeutic communication and effective uses of the doctor-patient relationship. They have been used to teach a wide range of professional and interpersonal competencies throughout the US and internationally. The Balint group has traditionally been a group of physicians who meet regularly and present cases to better understand the doctor-patient relationship. The group focuses on enhancing the physician’s ability to connect with and care for the patient.

Target Audience

This training is designed for medical educators and practicing clinicians who teach/explore the clinician-patient relationship. Trainings include physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and mental health professionals. Residents, students and fellows, as well as community clinicians who want to learn more about Balint work, are also welcome.

This training offers practical, experiential learning opportunities for those who are currently leading or hope to lead Balint groups. Small group sessions are led by two faculty members, who are credentialed Balint leaders. Each session includes a Balint group followed by debriefing of group process and leader interventions. Participants will have the opportunity to practice leading Balint groups and receive feedback on their leadership skills. Each group will videorecord and debrief a Balint group. Critical issues of Balint work will be addressed during topic-focused discussions. During this Leadership Taining Intensive, a few experienced participants may co-lead small group sessions, as part of an evaluation process for credentialing. If this occurs, participants may be asked to complete an assessment of the candidate’s effectiveness. We believe this process furthers learning of Balint leadership skills, in addition to offering the candidate helpful feedback.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the training, attendees will be able to:

1.      Describe verbal and non-verbal leadership behaviors of Balint Group leaders;

2.      Demonstrate the effectiveness of different leadership interventions;

3.      Identify the process and progression of a Balint Group, over multiple group sessions;

4.      Define the new perspective of the presenter as a result of the Balint Group process.

Schedule

Thursday, March 29, 2012

12:00-1:30       Registration

1:30-2:30         Large Group: Review of Balint Group process & history, logistics

2:45-6:00         Small Balint Group Sessions 1, 2

6:15-7:15         Topic Focused Discussions

7:30                 Dinner together

Friday, March 30

8:00-11:00       Small Balint Group Sessions 3, 4

11:15-12:45     Small Balint Group Session 5

12:45-1:45       Lunch together

1:45-3:15         Small Balint Group Session 6

3:30-5:00         Small Balint Group Session 7

Evening           On your own

Saturday March 31

8:00-11:00       Small Balint Group Sessions 8, 9

11:15-12:30     Topic Focused Discussions

Afternoon        Free time

7:00                Dinner together at local restaurant

Sunday April 1

8:00-9:30         Small Balint Group session 10

9:30-10:00       Closure for small groups

10:15-11:30     Final Large Group session: review, future directions, closure

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be requested in writing. In order to receive a refund, the request must be received before March 1, 2012. $100 of fee will be withheld for administrative fees. Refunds will be issued after the conference. The ABS reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course due to unforeseen circumstances or insufficient enrollment. In that case, full tuition will be refunded.

Hotel and Conference Site

Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown is located in the heart of Portland, Oregon, in the historic Multnomah Hotel building. 

Course Directors:

John Muench, MD, MPH

Treasurer-elect, American Balint Society

Director of Behavioral Medicine

Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon

Jillian Romm RN, LCSW

Director, Division of Mental Health

Co-Director, Perinatal Mental Health Program

Center for Women's Health

Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon

Additional Faculty:

Steve Crossman, MD

Council Member, American Balint Society

Associate ProfessorDepartment of Family Medicine

VCU School of Medicine, MCV Campus

Richmond, Virginia

Frank Dornfest, MB, ChB, MFGP(SA), FAAFP

Founding President, American Balint Society

Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon

Katherine Knowlton, Ph.D.

Intensives Committee Coordinator, American Balint Society

Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Medicine

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington

Don Nease, Jr, MD

Past President, American Balint Society

Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine

Colorado Health Outcomes Program

University of Colorado

Denver, Colorado

Ann Sinclair, MS, LCSW

Immediate Past President, American Balint Society

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Department of Family MedicineOregon Health & Sciences UniversityPortland, Oregon

Mary Wassink, Ed. D.

Behavioral Science Mentor

Associate Faculty Family Medicine

Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies

MSU/KCMS Family Medicine Residency

All faculty members are credentialed as Balint Group Leaders by the American Balint Society. Faculty present will depend on number of small groups.

In accordance with ACCME requirements on disclosure, information about relationships of presenters with commercial interests (if any) will be included in materials distributed at the time of the conference.

Please Note

Participants should be clinically active and willing to present cases.

It is important to participate in the entire program. Success of the conference depends on group cohesiveness. Please do not plan to arrive late, leave early, or miss sessions.

Advance notification of any special needs will help us provide better service. Please notify us of special needs at least 2 weeks in advance of this program.

Please be aware that intensive Balint training can stir up strong feelings. If you are at a particularly vulnerable time in your life, you may want to consider completing this training at a later date. 

Continuing Education

This Live activity, Balint Leadership Training Intensive, with a beginning date of March 29, 2012, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 20.25 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA/AAFP Equivalency:
AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award.  When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed, not as Category 1.