72612 - Health Psychology and Interpersonal Communication

Learning outcomes

At the end of the training activity, the student: - knows health psychology, in particular with regard to the relationships between beliefs, attitudes and behaviors concerning health and illness, stress, coping strategies, compliance, the medical relationship -patient, hospitalization, chronic disease; - is able to produce specific measurements aimed at the realization of psychological interventions oriented to the person and / or the situation; - will know advanced communication techniques in the context of interpersonal relationships; - is able to carry out effective communication; - is able to adopt strategies / tools / techniques in the relationship with the patient and within the team work; - knows the value and meanings of non-verbal communication with particular reference to the expression of the face in interaction.

Course contents

The course will focus on some relevant topics in the field of health psychology and interpersonal communication that takes place in interactive contexts (health context in particular) analyzing:

with regard to health psychology

1. Psychology, health and disease; psychology and health practice; concepts of health and illness; comparative theoretical models (bio-medical model; bio-psycho-social model; evidence-based medicine; patient-centered medicine .....).

2. The development of health psychology; identity and goals of health psychology; health psychology in relation to related fields (medical psychology, psychosomatic medicine, behavioral medicine ....)

3. health-relevant behaviors; risk behaviors and self-protective behavior; beliefs, attitudes, intentions and behaviors in health and illness; explanatory models; the representation of the disease.

4. Stress, health and illness; coping strategies; coping resources.

5. Compliance with the provisions.

6. Health psychology, organization of health services and health interventions.

7. Health promotion.

 

Regarding the communication aspects:

1 communication models in the therapeutic relationship.

2 the implementation of appropriate strategies / tools and techniques to be adopted in the communication relationship with the patient and within the team; narrative medicine

3 the value and meanings of non-verbal communication and individual expression in interaction.

4 The role of communication in the construction of an effective therapeutic relationship in the healthcare context.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides of the lessons, provided by the teacher on the online teaching platform

Friedman, HS (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Health Psychology, Oxford Library of Psychology, chapters 1, 3, 8, 14, 26.

Fabrizio Benedetti, Il Dolore, Carocci Editore

articles indicated by the teacher and made available on the online teaching platform.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and viewing of video recordings.

Class attendance is recommended but optional.

Assessment methods

The verification will be carried out through an oral test after the end of the course on the dates published in Alma Esami. The vote will be expressed in thirtieths

The grade of 30/30 and possible “lode” will depend both on the exhaustive and coherent answers given by the student, and on his/her ability to show reflexive skills in exposing the contents, both in communicative and expressive clarity. The vote will be related to the quality of the answer given by the student to each of the questions. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation in the contents and bibliographic materials offered during the course will be evaluated negatively.

Registration is required to take the exam through the function present on the AlmaEsami website, in compliance with the established deadlines.

Teaching tools

Use of computers and power point / pdf presentations.

Audiovisual media will be used for watching movies.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea De Cesarei