A dialogue between psychology and bioethics: contributions of michael balint to clinical practice bioethics

Abstract

This article aims to define a dialogue between psychology and bioethics from the proposal of Michael Balint and his contributions, to be applied in clinical practice, specifically in the context of health in Colombia. The methodology is divided into four parts. The first exposes concepts, dynamics and experiences on group mode; the second presents reflections on the process of obtaining informed consent and autonomy, conceived from the Intervention Bioethics; the third, exposes notions of vulnerability and power relations; and the fourth refers to the contributions of this group method to clinical practice bioethics, contextualized in the Colombian situation. Balint group proposals converges with the practice of uniqueness, empowerment and critical solidarity, bioethics fundamentals that analyze the professional patient relationship with a collective perspective. Given the deterioration of the doctor patient relationship in Colombia, it is necessary to propose actions to strengthen the humanistic training of professionals. Balint groups are an instrument to analyze the specificities of this dyad that encourage finding ways of coping with social, administrative and political challenges that exist.

Keywords

• bioethics
• psychology
• informed consent
• interpersonal relationships
• autonomy
• bioethics intervention