The doctor as a medicine, or the therapeutic effect of communication in the concept of M. Balint

This article analyzes the peculiarities of doctor-patient communication considered by the British physician and psychoanalyst M. Balint in his work “The Doctor, His Patient and the Illness”. M. Balint’s research is unique in that he was one of the first to emphasize the importance of studying the nature of the doctor-patient relationship, and by carefully analyzing this relationship he concludes that it affects the result of treatment. From the author's proposed ideas, we particularly distinguish the concept of “doctor as medicine”, thus showing that the very communication with the patient can have a therapeutic effect on him. Thus, medicine can be presented not only as a kind of scientific knowledge, but also as a certain kind of art, which can be called the art of healing, that is, in our opinion, first of all, communication. In order to cure a person, it is necessary to be able to understand him, listen and hear, and this is more complex and deeper than just treatment. In the modern world, with the development of science and technology, the manifestation of “humanity” towards the patient is often lost. But along with clinical thinking and practical skills, a good doctor should have the ability to empathize, empathy, willingness to help and understand his patient. That is why appealing to M. Balint’s ideas can make a significant contribution to solving the problem of communication between doctor and patient.