Appropriate training based on Balint groups can improve the empathic abilities of medical students: a preliminary study.

Objective: Although empathy is critical in a doctor-patient relationship, empathic abilities seem to decline throughout medical school. This study aimed at examining changes in empathic abilities of fourth-year medical students who participated in an optional certificate based on Balint groups.

Methods: Thirty-four students were included in the "Balint group" certificate and compared with 129 participating in other certificates.