BALINT GROUP AS A USEFUL TOOL TO PROMOTE AN INTERCHANGEABLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE EMOTIONS PRESENT IN THE MEDICAL CONSULTATION

Justification: Balint groups were first proposed and held by Michael and Enid Balint in London in the 1950s. Since that time they have developed worldwide as a means of fostering doctor-patient communication and patient-centeredness. Traditionally, Balint Groups are held with the participation of 8 to 10 doctors, under the coordination of one or two trained leaders. Their benefits have been appreciated by the participants, which express the reaching of new skills in dealing with the generality of "difficult patients", with a better understanding of the hidden meaning some kind of expressions and purposes that patients bring to the consultation. Content: In this Workshop, we will present some aspects of the history of Balint groups and their working methodology, having in mind the rules developed worldwide by the International Balint Federation. Afterwards, we shall invite the present participants to take part in a group session that will be leaded by two of us, gathering more 8 to 10 individuals to an inner circle. The others, will take position in an external circle listening what will be going on inside and having the possibility to participate when the leaders will call for that. In the end of the session, everybody will be called to say some words about their feelings and understanding of the workshop.