Balint's Ideas course for GPs

This session introduces Michael Balint, outlines his principal ideas and describes his innovative use of the case discussion group to help doctors understand the doctor-patient relationship.

This session was reviewed by Khyati Bakhai and last updated in November 2018.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the impact of Balint in the development of a person-centred model of general practice in the last 50 years
• Explain the meaning and relevance of the Balint aphorisms
• Describe how a Balint group functions and the desired outcomes for its members
• Describe how an awareness of Balint’s ideas can contribute to a doctor’s ability to deal with emotion and subjectivity in the consultation

Today, the value of the patient-centred consultation model is widely recognised. This is largely due to the influential work of Michael and Enid Balint in the mid 20th century.