Monk, A., Hind, D. orcid.org/0000-0002-6409-4793 and Crimlisk, H. (2018) Balint groups in undergraduate medical education: a systematic review. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, 32 (1). pp. 61-86. ISSN 0266-8734
Abstract
Objective: Though Balint groups feature increasingly in UK medical school curricula, there is no evidence-based consensus on what undergraduates might gain from participation, and how this might happen. To address this, we systematically reviewed primary research studies involving medical student Balint groups and their relationship with patient-centredness, using narrative synthesis. Data sources: Four major databases were searched from origin until 9 September 2016. The Journal of the Balint Society was hand-searched from 1971 until 9 September 2016. Study selection: English language studies reporting quantitative and/or qualitative methods examining Balint groups in medical students vs. other/no comparator. Results: Eight studies were included. Quantitative findings report statistically significant improvements to student’s empathy and intellectual interest following group participation vs. control (p = 0.03, p = 0.046, respectively). Discussion content was similar across high-income countries. There was considerable heterogeneity when students rated the efficacy of groups. All evidence had high or unclear risk of bias, or was of medium/low quality. Conclusion: Balint groups might help medical students to become more patient-centred, by increasing students’ empathic abilities and supporting their personal and professional growth. Groups are more subjectively effective when optional rather than compulsory. Discussion content is comparable to groups in continuing medical education.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 The Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the NHS. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | systematic review; narrative synthesis; medical education; medical students, patient-centred; Balint |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) > ScHARR - Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 10 Jan 2018 15:45 |
Last Modified: | 11 Aug 2020 14:14 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/02668734.2017.1405361 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:126033 |