scholarly journals Evaluating participant experience in Balint online sessions held during the COVID-19 pandemic – lessons learnt and moving forward

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S253-S253
Author(s):  
Nikhita Handa ◽  
Romy Garbutt ◽  
Sylvia Chudley
Keyword(s):  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Balint Groups ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Transient Rise ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Ease Of Access ◽  
Balint Group ◽  
The Uk

AimsFrom the outset of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the lockdown that subsequently ensued, a challenge was posed to reshape previously face-to-face meetings in all walks of life. One area that rose to this, with quick introduction of online sessions, was the Balint Group. We aimed to take a snapshot of the effect virtual Balint sessions have had and analyse the themes that members of virtual Balint groups have been identifying about their online group experience at this particularly challenging time for healthcare workers. We hope this will inform both leaders and participants of future online groups of the benefits and pitfalls found by these members reflecting on their first experiences of virtual Balint.MethodSeven members of virtual Balint groups across the UK were randomly selected for interview from a pool of volunteers facilitated by the UK Balint Society after the first 6 months of their first virtual Balint experience. Interviews were conducted by two academic foundation doctors who were not members of the Balint groups. Qualitative thematic analysis was then conducted on these interview transcripts. Going forward, as Balint groups continue online, the researchers plan to interview further group members and leaders to look for change and development in the primary themes identified.ResultKey positive themes identified when discussing virtual Balint were ease of access, increased anonymity, attention to facial expressions and interaction with participants from different parts of the country. The most common drawback themes were a lack of socialising and different group dynamic as well as the expected technical and environmental challenges. Interestingly all participants reported that ‘silence’ and ‘sitting/stepping back’ were still used in their online sessions. Core theme analysis indicates the virtual Balint descriptions draw out sentiments of safe, open and structured sessions. In these early sessions a frequent theme was the increased role of the leader.ConclusionAll participants interviewed so far have felt their online experiences have had many positive aspects. They highlight areas they feel virtual Balint could develop to better replicate the original sessions. The fact some interviewees would prefer to maintain online Balint groups even when ‘in person’ options resume makes it likely this will not be a transient rise in virtual Balint and that the style may be here to stay. Based on this, the role for feedback and constant evaluation and improvement will be central to virtual Balint evolution.

Perceived Behaviors of Emergent and Assigned Leaders in Virtual Groups

2008 ◽  
pp. 1096-1110
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Wickham ◽  
Joseph B. Walther
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Virtual Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Impact

While considerable research has explored perceptions of groups and members in computer-mediated communication (CMC), and leadership behaviors in face-to-face groups, little research has examined how leadership is identified in CMC groups. Contemporary CMC theories alternatively stress the impact of salient, stereotyped roles on CMC groups’ perceptions, or the accretion of exaggerated impressions based on behavioral cues. These perspectives, in turn, coincide with predictions about the predominance of alternative forms of leadership: Assigned versus emergent. This study draws on traditional leadership theories from face-to-face group research and applies them to CMC to examine dynamics related to assigned and emergent leaders in online groups. The results of the study demonstrate that CMC groups may identify more than one leader. When identifying emergent leaders, regardless of whether a leader was assigned or not, group members consider perceived amounts of communication, intelligence, and encouraging and authoritarian behaviors.

scholarly journals A survey of Irish psychiatric trainees attitudes to balint groups

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S259-S259
Author(s):  
Sudha Jain ◽  
Emma Adams ◽  
Alyson Lee
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Balint Groups

Aims1. To compare the experience of psychiatric trainees in Ireland of online Balint Groups (BG) in contrast to face to face groups.2. To assess the general attitudes of trainees to BG using the Psychological Medical Inventory (PMI) (Ireton and Sherman, 1988) scale.MethodAn online survey comprising two sections: 1. A questionnaire exploring participants experience, effectiveness and obstacles to attending the two formats of BG with a free text box response. 2. General attitude of trainees towards BG using PMI scale.An online cross-sectional survey using Survey Monkey. An invitation to participate in the survey was emailed to all trainees by the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland. All data were anonymised, and all data processing was conducted in line with GDPR. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Microsoft Excel. Thematic analysis was applied to the free-text box responses.Result16.49% (64/388) responded to the survey. Responses were uniform across all stages of training. 97% of respondents attended BG; 72% attended both formats, 25% attended only face-to-face and 3% online only. 65% of respondents preferred face to face compared to 18% online, whilst 11% stated no preference.On thematic analysis, trainees asserted a preference for face-to-face, describing better group cohesion, feeling safer to share, increased ease of interpreting non-verbal communication, and that conversation was more fluid. They described greater ease of engagement with the group/facilitator and preferred direct social interaction with peers.Conversely, most trainees acknowledged that online groups were convenient to attend, less time consuming & mitigated COVID risk associated with face-to-face meetings. Common themes against the use of online groups were: less psychotherapeutic in nature, technical issues, silences, unable to see participants faces and as though speaking “into the void”.Regarding trainees' attitudes to attending BG, most of the trainees found BG had been beneficial in developing more interest and confidence in dealing with the psychological aspects of patient care. Trainees agreed that skills improved in developing an excellent doctor-patient relationship, recognising patients under stress/ in distress, systemically obtaining psychological information and making treatment decisions based upon psychological needs and psychotherapeutic engagement. They agreed that they could better understand the influence of doctors' emotions on the doctor-patient relationship.ConclusionThis survey showed that most trainees find BG beneficial in developing better doctor-patient relationships, preferring face-to-face rather than online BG. However, they found online more convenient. A blended learning approach could provide trainees with the benefits of both formats of BG.

scholarly journals Information Wars and Online Activism During the 2013/2014 Crisis in Ukraine: Examining the Social Structures of Pro- and Anti-Maidan Groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoliy Gruzd ◽  
Ksenia Tsyganova
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Online Activism

This article examines how online groups are formed and sustained during crisis periods, especially when political polarization in society is at its highest level. We focus on the use of Vkontakte (VK), a popular social networking site in Ukraine, to understand how it was used by Pro- and Anti-Maidan groups during the 2013/2014 crisis in Ukraine. In particular, we ask whether and to what extent the ideology (or other factors) of a particular group shapes its network structure. We find some support that online social networks are likely to represent local and potentially preexisting social networks, likely due to the dominance of reciprocal (and often close) relationships on VK and opportunities for group members to meet face-to-face during offline protests. We also identify a number of group-level indicators, such as degree centralization, modularity index and average engagement level, that could help to classify groups based on their network properties. Community researchers can start applying these group-level indicators to online communities outside VK; they can also learn from this article how to identify networks of spam and marketing accounts.

Collaborative Information Behavior in Completely Online Groups

2010 ◽  
pp. 109-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Goggins ◽  
Sanda Erdelez
Keyword(s):  
Information Behavior ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Information Tools ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Information Horizons ◽  
Online Group

This chapter situates collaborative information behavior in completely online groups as a phenomenon distinct from prior work understanding collaborative information behavior in face-to-face groups, free and open source software groups and Wikipedia groups. The unexpected diversity of information resources utilized by completely online group members is analyzed through Sonnenwald’s Information Horizons theory. Information practices of completely online group members are described, and the key themes of groups as information resources, the influence of tool change on collaborative information behavior online, and the focusing potential of collaborative information tools for completely online group work are explicated. Future research directions that explore the potential of COGs for distributed innovation; new types of collaborative information behavior and breaking down the digital divide are reviewed.

Perceived Behaviors of Emergent and Assigned Leaders in Virtual Groups

2009 ◽  
pp. 50-64
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Wickham ◽  
Joseph B. Walther
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Virtual Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Impact

While considerable research has explored perceptions of groups and members in computer-mediated communication (CMC), and leadership behaviors in face-to-face groups, little research has examined how leadership is identified in CMC groups. Contemporary CMC theories alternatively stress the impact of salient, stereotyped roles on CMC groups’ perceptions, or the accretion of exaggerated impressions based on behavioral cues. These perspectives, in turn, coincide with predictions about the predominance of alternative forms of leadership: Assigned versus emergent. This study draws on traditional leadership theories from face-to-face group research and applies them to CMC to examine dynamics related to assigned and emergent leaders in online groups. The results of the study demonstrate that CMC groups may identify more than one leader. When identifying emergent leaders, regardless of whether a leader was assigned or not, group members consider perceived amounts of communication, intelligence, and encouraging and authoritarian behaviors.

Lessons from a Balint group scheme led by psychiatry trainees for year 3 bristol medical students on their medicine/surgery placements

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S169-S169
Author(s):  
K. Wood ◽  
A. Kothari ◽  
J. Malone
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Group Scheme ◽  
General Medical Council ◽  
Group Supervision ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Balint Groups ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Balint Group ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundThe UK General Medical Council highlights the centrality of effective communication, reflective practice and the doctor-patient relationship in medical practice. A decline in empathy has been documented as occurring within clinical and early postgraduate years, potentially affecting diagnostic processes and patient engagement. Access to Balint groups can enhance awareness of the patient beyond the medical model, but remains limited at many UK medical schools. This scheme offered Balint groups to Bristol medical students in their first clinical year, demonstrating that this method is relevant beyond psychiatry.MethodsInitial focus groups with medical students indicated that many felt unable to discuss distressing aspects of clinical encounters. During 2013-2014, a Balint scheme run by psychiatry trainees was started for 150 students in their psychiatry placements. During 2014-15, the scheme was introduced to all third-year medical students on their medicine/surgery placement. Balint leaders have group supervision with a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Evaluation of the scheme was based on pre-and post-group questionnaires and leaders’ process notes.ResultsSixteen groups led by 12 trainees were run twice over the year to serve 246 medical students. Two example cases are discussed here. Students appreciated the chance to discuss complex encounters with patients in a supportive peer environment, and work through a range of emotionally challenging issues.ConclusionsNovel aspects of this work include the implementation of Balint groups within medicine and surgery placements; the enrolment of psychiatry trainees as leaders with group supervision and leadership training workshops from the UK Balint Society; and the scale of the scheme.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Information Wars and Online Activism During the 2013/2014 Crisis in Ukraine: Examining the Social Structures of Pro- and Anti-Maidan Groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoliy Gruzd ◽  
Ksenia Tsyganova
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Online Activism

This article examines how online groups are formed and sustained during crisis periods, especially when political polarization in society is at its highest level. We focus on the use of Vkontakte (VK), a popular social networking site in Ukraine, to understand how it was used by Pro- and Anti-Maidan groups during the 2013/2014 crisis in Ukraine. In particular, we ask whether and to what extent the ideology (or other factors) of a particular group shapes its network structure. We find some support that online social networks are likely to represent local and potentially preexisting social networks, likely due to the dominance of reciprocal (and often close) relationships on VK and opportunities for group members to meet face-to-face during offline protests. We also identify a number of group-level indicators, such as degree centralization, modularity index and average engagement level, that could help to classify groups based on their network properties. Community researchers can start applying these group-level indicators to online communities outside VK; they can also learn from this article how to identify networks of spam and marketing accounts.

Collaborative Information Behavior in Completely Online Groups

2013 ◽  
pp. 1026-1043
Author(s):  
Sean Goggins ◽  
Sanda Erdelez
Keyword(s):  
Information Behavior ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Information Tools ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Information Horizons ◽  
Online Group

This chapter situates collaborative information behavior in completely online groups as a phenomenon distinct from prior work understanding collaborative information behavior in face-to-face groups, free and open source software groups and Wikipedia groups. The unexpected diversity of information resources utilized by completely online group members is analyzed through Sonnenwald’s Information Horizons theory. Information practices of completely online group members are described, and the key themes of groups as information resources, the influence of tool change on collaborative information behavior online, and the focusing potential of collaborative information tools for completely online group work are explicated. Future research directions that explore the potential of COGs for distributed innovation; new types of collaborative information behavior and breaking down the digital divide are reviewed.

scholarly journals Balint in the time of COVID-19: participant and facilitator experience of virtual Balint groups compared with in-person

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S154-S155
Author(s):  
Sheliza Samnani ◽  
Masud Awal
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Technical Application ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Balint Groups ◽  
Group Experiences ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Balint Group

AimsOur Trust increased Balint group provision, relocating virtually for psychiatry doctors to explore the emotional impact of clinical practice and doctor-patient relationships, during unfamiliar challenges of the pandemic. This unique context allowed comparison of multiple virtual and face-to-face (F2F) Balint-type group experiences for participants and facilitators.MethodIn March 2020, existing core trainee (CT) year 1 and 2, higher trainee (ST) and consultant Balint groups became virtual, with new CT3 and Speciality Doctor and Associate Specialist (SAS) virtual Balint groups established.All 57 participants and 5 facilitators were sent an anonymous electronic survey to retrospectively rate virtual Balint (March-August 2020) and their preceding F2F Balint group (suggesting September 2019-February 2020) experience.ResultThe response rate was 89% for participants (51 respondents) and 100% for facilitators (5 respondents).For group participants, 90% (virtual) and 78% (F2F) agreed or strongly agreed that Balint group provided an opportunity to explore challenging aspects of clinical work. 76% (virtual) and 71% (F2F) agreed or strongly agreed that it made them feel more supported. Almost 50% agreed or strongly agreed that virtual and F2F Balint group helped work feel less stressful. Both ratings and free-text feedback emphasised virtual Balint attendance being easier.Facilitators rated virtual and F2F formats similarly highly with regards to exploring difficult doctor-patient interactions, richness of discussions and their enjoyment. Facilitators felt virtual attendance was easier but more draining, with more difficult adherence to Balint group etiquette and boundaries.82% of participants and 75% of facilitators agreed or strongly agreed that virtual format made them more likely to attend future Balint groups. The rich pool of free-text comments received were predominantly positive, whilst noting challenges during virtual Balint in remaining present, with more distractions (for participants) and additional difficulty accessing group dynamics (for facilitators).ConclusionParticipant and facilitator responses indicate Balint-type groups being professionally and clinically beneficial across different psychiatrist grades, and promoting clinician wellbeing when both F2F and virtual during pandemic-related restrictions. Facilitator ratings (unlike participants) suggested specific virtual process challenges such as feeling more drained, perhaps in part due to technical application issues around this emerging format.Both participants and facilitators reported attendance being easier when virtual. Although some suggested returning to F2F post-COVID, more preferred to continue virtually or utilise a blended format. This was particularly for non-CT groups where geographical challenges (e.g. region-wide ST Balint) or competing clinical demands (e.g. consultant/SAS Balint) made regular commitment and attendance more difficult.

Network Autocorrelation of Task Performance via Informal Communication Within a Virtual World

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb T. Carr ◽  
Paul Zube
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
World Of Warcraft ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Informal Communication ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Network Autocorrelation ◽  
Virtual Group ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Individual Achievement

Network autocorrelation occurs when individuals receive assistance from others which regulates their own behavior, and it can be used to explain how group members may improve their task performance. This study explored how network autocorrelation, via informal communication within a virtual group, affected an individual’s task achievement in the online game World of Warcraft. Informal interactions between guild members during a 4-year period were collected and analyzed to assess how informal interactions with other group members affected an individual’s in-game achievement. Findings indicate informal communication from other group members (specifically the experience and helpfulness of the other members) positively predict an individual’s task performance, while tenure with the group negatively predict individual achievement. Findings are discussed with respect to network analysis and influence in online groups.

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