Introduction: Promoting communication and empathy skills is an important component of
medical students’ education. Recently, a technique called Balint training has
been introduced in several medical schools to foster the nonclinical aspects of
physician-patient interaction. Aim: We aim to explore whether
personality traits help explain the medical students who were more satisfied
with Balint training. In particular, whether students who are more open to
experience and more agreeable are more likely to be satisfied with Balint
training. Method: Balint groups have been introduced as part of the
medical school curriculum in the 4th year as part of their clinical training.
Students participated in five monthly Balint meetings in groups of 8-10
students led by two medical staff facilitators. At the end of the program,
questionnaires were delivered to all students. Results: A total of 65
participants (36% of the population) who completed all sessions, answered the
questionnaires. Findings showed a positive correlation between the personality
traits openness to experience and agreeableness to the level of satisfaction in
participating in Balint group sessions. Discussion: Our findings
contribute to the advancement of more effective planning and design of Balint
groups in medical education. To maximize the educational benefit of students’
participation in Balint training, their personality traits should be taken into
consideration.
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