Editorial

Welcome to the winter issue of our newsletter. This past year has been extremely difficult for both our country and the international community. Under these circumstances, Balint work which focuses on the therapeutic relationship between the doctor and the patient as well as on providing support to the clinicians, becomes even more important.
Dr. Minas Mastrominas, obstetrician- gynecologist, gave us an interview where he reveals with honesty and sensitivity the psychological implications of the method of in vitro fertilization and the special relationship that develops between the doctor and the patient.
Relevant to this issue was the participation of our group in the 13th Congress of the Hellenic Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, held on May 28-31, 2015 at the Thessalia Congress Centre in Volos, Greece, with two presentations titled “The triadic relationship of doctor-patient-partner during in vitro fertilization” and  “The role of gender in the doctor-patient relationship, with an emphasis on obstetrics-gynecology”. You will have the opportunity to read more about this in Dr. Fay Griva’s article.
The Hellenic Balint Group took part in a conference of the Scientific Society of Medical Students of Greece, on October 19, 2015. A Balint group took place with some of the students as participants. and the rest of the audience as observers. The students had the opportunity to think and discuss the problems that they already encounter in the relationship with their patients. Dr. Evgenia Karantoni informs us about this special meeting with the medical students in her article.
You can also read about the participation of our group leader, Mrs Lida Bitrou, in the Balint weekend that took place in Leeds last November, in her report, and also get informed about the events that will take place in Greece and abroad.

We wish you wholeheartedly happy holidays and a joyous and creative 2016!  

Magda Hadjidemetri
Editor