Original scientific paper
Balint Groups as a Driving Force of Ego Development
M. Kulenović
S. Blažeković-Milaković
Abstract
This paper gives an overview of one of the main components in the process of Balint
groups. The paper is based on the authors' research on the work of Balint groups and
the study of literature which deals with the development of ego and the role of Balint
groups in the development of participants’ ego. This field is of great interest to the Balint
movement and education in medicine. The special place in the discussions on the Balint
method is given to the issue of benefit and the nature of influence of the Balint groups on
participants. The Balint movement is of special interest for Croatia since it was perhaps
among the first in the world to introduce Balint seminars as an official part of education
of family doctors. The Croatian Society of Balint Groups as early as in 1970's became
a part of the International Federation of Balint Groups. Professor Betlheim was
Michael Balint's friend and his followers introduced the method not only in medicine
but also in other professions: social work, pedagogy, psychology, sociology etc. The Balint’s
method is also very interesting and useful to stomatologists, orthopedists and physiotherapists.
Croatian dentists joined the Balint Groups in 1983 and orthopaedists in
1987. These were the unique cases in the European context. The Balint groups are very
efficient and necessary in the process of strenghtening ego and selfawarness of these professionals.
The paper also discusses the increase of the doctor's self-awareness and selfconsciousness
during the process of training in the Balint Groups. The Balint Groups
only insist on the doctor-patient relationship and do not interfere with the unconscious
of the doctor’s preoccupations. The approach of Enid Balint strives to find harmony between
the Balint’s approach and the psychoanalytic approach to the object of the research.
According to her understanding, the development of the group atmosphere is
similar to the one in the family. The authors reach a similar conclusion in their research.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
17252
URI
Publication date:
16.6.2000.
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