Balint groups and the significance of the relationship: doctors’ motivational d...

• Author(s): Fonseca, Rita ; dos Santos, Nuno
• Date: 2011
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/4529
• Origin: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
• Subject(s): Balint group; Professional Development; Work Motivation; Physician; doctor-patient relationship
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English
• Editor(s): Addison, Richard

Description

!e doctor-patient relationship has assumed varied importance throughout history. However, a good relationship will always be essential to medical performance, both the human and technical aspects. Whereas these aspects are determined by di%erent factors, we examine Balint Groups in relation to knowledge, skills and especially to motivation. We conclude that Balint groups promote the development of emotional competence. We discuss self-determination theory and suggest that Balint work is a process of professional development that promotes the internalization of motivation to work inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.