S. Rabinowitz et al., DEVELOPING PSYCHOSOCIAL MINDEDNESS AND SENSITIVITY TO MENTAL-HEALTH ISSUES AMONG PRIMARY-CARE NURSES USING THE BALINT GROUP METHOD, Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences, 31(4), 1994, pp. 280-286
This study empirically evaluated the impact of a Balint group for prim
ary care nurses on awareness of mental health and psychosocial issues
and professional psychosocial efficacy. Thirteen female primary care n
urses working in community clinics participated in a year-long fortnig
htly Balint group led by two psychologists at a regional school of nur
sing. Cases were presented and analyzed to highlight emotional and cog
nitive components and processes. Changes in professional psychosocial
efficacy were assessed with the Psychological Medical inventory (PMI).
Efficacy components were (a) psychosocial abilities, (b) psychosocial
sensitivity. Changes in these components and in perceived mental heal
th topics were assessed over three time points: at initial interview,
midway through group and at the end. Significant positive changes were
found on both efficacy components at the final measure compared to ba
seline. This study indicates the beneficial effects of this method in
training primary care nurses in psychosocial efficacy. It also highlig
hts the importance of ongoing long-term training programs for mental h
ealth and psychosocial efficacy in this professional group.