THE APPLICATION OF THE BAHRAIN TEAM IN THE RECOVERY PROCESS OF PATIENTS WITH SPORTS INJURIES

Abstract

Balint group is a smaller group of clinicians who constantly meet to discuss cases emerging from their daily practice and focus on the psychological aspects of their work and build on doctor-patient relationships. Our study seeks to examine the application of the Balint group in the recovery process of patients with sports injuries. We used a mixed methods approach involving semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and a survey. There were medical practitioners from the Chinese Athletic Association who volunteered to undertake the study. The findings showed that participants acknowledged the emotional challenges faced by athletes recovering from injuries (motivation, anxiety, sense of loss). The current methods to address these challenges are perceived to be limited due to time constraints, lack of training, and limited resources. Also, participants expressed interest in The Balint Group as a potential solution because it could offer peer support and learning from colleagues' experiences, improved communication skills to discuss emotional challenges with athletes and a more holistic approach to recovery by addressing both physical and emotional aspects. Our study contributes to the effective management of athletes by medical professionals involved in sports injuries while improving the quality of care and their professional development.