The Balint Group and Preventive Industrial Medicine

The author presents the results of his innovative experience with a group of unique medical practitioners-industrial physicians-who appeared in some ways ideally suited to the Balint method of psychological instruction. Because the “work doctor” was, by definition, limited in his use of the traditional medical techniques available to his general practitioner colleagues, he would seem most potentially receptive to an opportunity to acquire new skills in the psychological “use of himself.”Some participants enthusiastically endorsed the experience, others felt dissatisfied with the “lack of structure and theoretical teaching” and still others, exhibiting some resistance to and denial of the relevance of psychological factors in their work, dropped out early.Detailed accounts and specific experiences of group members are described, and the author proffers his comments and conclusions.