Family practice
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In a study in Sweden of 160 consultations, general practitioners and patients separately assessed their satisfaction with the consultation length and the ability of the patient to explain the problem. These assessments were compared with each other and were correlated with the actual length of the consultation. The mean length of the consultations was 21 minutes with a great variation between different doctors. ⋯ The patients were on the whole more satisfied than the doctors. There was no evidence that longer consultations gave more satisfaction for either doctors or patients. The doctors not only registered more psychological problems than the patients but they were more likely to register insufficient time for discussing psychological problems.
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The discussions are led by a psychoanalyst, or someone in touch with the approach fostered by psychoanalysis, and the group is helped to develop an atmosphere of tolerance and safety. Participants are thus able to discuss cases that represent the personal difficulties they are currently experiencing in their daily work. This report is about one group whose members agreed to allow the process of their work to be studied. ⋯ It also describes methods used to assess the quality of learning and the changes in personal attitudes. A Balint group has a safe and defined mode of working but no specific agenda, save that provided by the personal cases presented by those who come regularly to its sessions. This study aims to describe the kind of experience such a group can offer to intending participants.