The Balint Society of Australia and New Zealand was founded in 2005, and named in acknowledgement of the Hungarian born psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Michael Balint and his wife Enid Balint, who developed a unique method for studying the doctor-patient relationship in London in the 1950's.
A Balint group is an experiential, small group educational activity in which GPs discuss cases from their practices with a focus on the doctor-patient relationship.
The Society was affiliated to the International Balint Federation in 2007.
Our aims, as described in our Constitution are:
- to promote and advance research, studies and training in the psychological aspects of health care
- and, in particular, general practice
- with special reference to the doctor-patient relationship,
- and to disseminate this knowledge beyond the Society for the improvement of health care of the public at large.
Our activities include:
- Supporting GPs and Balint group leaders to start and maintain Balint groups;
- Balint workshops;
- Scientific meetings;
- Email newsletter (available on request to Dr Ann-Marie Diggins: Email)
- Strong links with the International Balint Federation and Balint Societies in other countries.