Pär Salander1, Maria Sandström2. 1. Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: par.salander@socw.umu.se. 2. Department of Radiation Sciences-Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Reflection groups for clinicians, often called Balint groups, are a way of refining professional competence in health care. This study presents a model for reflective practice in a group setting and describes the kinds of troublesome cases that medical residents are concerned about. METHODS: From 2005 to 2012 a Balint-inspired reflective forum has been a part of the academic seminar program for physicians in training in a Department of Oncology at a Swedish university. The present study is focused on all 63 cases presented in the forum. RESULTS: The cases were categorized into three kinds of challenges: Communication challenges in the patient-physician relationship, Communication challenges in organizational matters, and Communication challenges with close relatives of the patient. CONCLUSION: The study tells us something about the vulnerability of being a medical resident and the identified challenges have bearings on medical education curricula as well as on how the training of junior physicians is organized. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The cases are contextual and multifaceted, and a forum of this kind might therefore be regarded as a potential way to develop professional competence and to refine communication in clinical practice. A structured evaluation of the forum would be valuable.
OBJECTIVE: Reflection groups for clinicians, often called Balint groups, are a way of refining professional competence in health care. This study presents a model for reflective practice in a group setting and describes the kinds of troublesome cases that medical residents are concerned about. METHODS: From 2005 to 2012 a Balint-inspired reflective forum has been a part of the academic seminar program for physicians in training in a Department of Oncology at a Swedish university. The present study is focused on all 63 cases presented in the forum. RESULTS: The cases were categorized into three kinds of challenges: Communication challenges in the patient-physician relationship, Communication challenges in organizational matters, and Communication challenges with close relatives of the patient. CONCLUSION: The study tells us something about the vulnerability of being a medical resident and the identified challenges have bearings on medical education curricula as well as on how the training of junior physicians is organized. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The cases are contextual and multifaceted, and a forum of this kind might therefore be regarded as a potential way to develop professional competence and to refine communication in clinical practice. A structured evaluation of the forum would be valuable.