03084 - Clinical Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module the student knows and possesses the ability to understand the clinical applications of psychology in different fields. The student knows, in the field of healthcare, aspects of psychological distress and recognizes the main reactions of the person to illness, suffering and hospitalization respecting behavioral differences related to the culture of belonging.

Course contents

Teaching module 1 - Professor Alessandro Agostini

Clinical psychophysiology and neuro-physiological correlates of the mind-body relationship.

The impact of organic pathology on: emotions, pain, stress.

Disease and psychological vulnerability. The contribution of attachment theory: attachment style, mentalization.

The contribution of psychodynamics to the understanding of the relationship between the clinician and the assisted person. 1) Psychoanalysis, 2) The psychology of the ego: psychological defenses and adaptation. 3) The theory of object relations. 4) The psychology of the self.

 

Teaching module 2 - Professor Laura Sirri

Job strain, burnout and psychological resilience in health care workers.

Illness behavior and illness perception.

Psychological correlates of spinal cord injury.

Psychological implications of caregiving.

Readings/Bibliography

You do not need to buy specific texts. During lessons teaching materials (also available through username and password at the IOL online Platform) and references to suggested readings will be provided.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of 8 frontal lessons of 3 hours each for a total of 24 hours: 4 lessons for teaching module 1 (12 hours) and 4 lessons for teaching module 2 (12 hours). The contents of the program will be presented with examples of clinical cases.

Assessment methods

The verification is aimed at evaluating the learning of the main models of the mind in order to understand, manage and improve the relationship between the healthcare provider and the client.

The verification, through written exam, consists of 31 multiple choice questions (for each question, four answers to choose from). The verification will last for 45 minutes.

There is also an ongoing test which consists of 31 true/false answers lasting 30 minutes.

Teaching tools

Slides, movies, and interactions with students will be used.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Sirri

See the website of Alessandro Agostini