MICHAEL BALINT «THE DOCTOR, HIS PATIENT AND THE ILLNESS»

For a number of years research seminars in the form of discussion groups have been organized at the Tavistock Clinic in London to study the psychological implications in general medical practice. The discussion quickly revealed that the most frequently used drug was the doctor himself, i.e. that it was not only the bottle of medicine or the box of pills that mattered, but the whole atmosphere in which the drug was given and taken. The chief aim of this project was a thorough study of the constantly changing doctor-patient relationship. The book contains a variety of real case histories, presented by seminar participants for group discussion.

The first edition of this book, published in 1957, was enthusiastically reviewed for the novel ideas proposed concerning the doctor’s relationship with his patient, and how that relationship could affect the patient’s treatment. In the second edition, first published in 1964, the author changed the format and text only slightly to preserve the simplicity and coherence of the presentation, iron out some ambiguities and point out the direction of his new ideas. This millennium reprint includes an introduction by the author’s son, Professor John A Balint, placing the book in today’s context and demonstrating the continued relevance and influence of Balint’s ideas.

“The Doctor, his Patient and the Illness” is an important book as it suggests the doctors to have an entirely new look at their everyday practice and develop efficient relationships with their patients. It is a book to be recommended to psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists, medical teachers and above all to general practitioners.