A narrative history of the American Balint Society 1990-2020.

An historical narrative tracing the inception, evolution, structure, educational focus, integration with international Balint movements and challenges to future growth of the American Balint Society (ABS) is enlivened and deepened by twelve Balint autobiographies that follow it. The ABS in choosing to create its historical narrative is confronting a vitally important project both for its members, and for many healthcare educators and clinicians. Both are deeply invested in promoting and preserving the integrity of the personal relationship between the provider and the client.

Balint groups in family medicine residency programs: a follow-up study from 1990--2010.

Background And Objectives: Balint groups have been part of residency education for decades. This study updates our understanding of the organization, purpose, and leadership of Balint groups within US family medicine residency programs.

Methods: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved family medicine residency training programs (n=453) were contacted to complete a questionnaire, similar to ones performed in 1990 and 2000.

The legacy of Michael Balint.

Michael Balint's lead article, "Repeat Prescription Patients: Are They An Identifiable Group?" inaugurated the first issue of Psychiatry in Medicine, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1970.

Essential characteristics of effective Balint group leadership.

Objective: Balint work in the United States has suffered from a lack of written material on how Balint group leaders structure and guide group process. This study identified characteristics of effective Balint group leadership by gathering information from experienced Balint leaders.

Methods: We used evaluations of the leadership methods used by 21 Balint group leaders assembled at an American Balint Society workshop to pilot test the Society's credentialing process.

Resident physicians who continue Balint training: a longitudinal study 1982-1999.

Background And Objectives: Balint seminars began in London in 1950 on a voluntary basis for general practitioners wishing to explore psychological problems in their practice. By 1964, there was a 36% early dropout rate among the 223 physicians who participated. This study sought to determine if those who leave Balint training during their residency, versus those who continue, have different psychological characteristics.