The Balint Society of Australia 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.