Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Chronic Illness

Recommended Prerequisites

None

Learning Outcomes

Main purpose: to present the application of the cognitive-behavioral (CB) model to the chronic disease (CD) context. It is intended that students (1) understand the impact of a CD in the people’s life and the relevance of CB therapies in this context; (2) develop assessment, formulation and clinical intervention skills in patients with CD.

 

Skills to acquire:

 

1. Acquisition of knowledge about the impact of a CD and the concept of quality of life

2. Acquisition of knowledge on the specificities of the application of CB strategies to CD

3. Reflecting on the impact of CD in healthcare professionals and on the importance of an effective communication with patients

4. To develop skills of CB assessment and intervention in the CD context

5. Acquiring knowledge of different intervention protocols applied to various diseases.

6. To develop assessment and intervention skills in cases of advanced disease and terminal illnesses

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Chronic disease and quality of life

1.1. Chronic disease (CD): definition and epidemiology

1.2. The individual, marital and familiar impact of a CD

1.3. Quality of life (QoL) and health-related QoL

2. Application of CB model to CD

2.1. The relevance of a CB approach for people with a CD

2.2. Empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the CB therapy in CD

2.3. The treatment process: Assessment; Formulation; Treatment strategies (behavioural; cognitive; group interventions; third generation CB therapies)

3. Working with the family and couple

3.1. The impact of a CD in the family

3.2. The role of the family and couple on the disease management

4. Terminal and advanced disease: palliative care

4.1. Treatment strategies for the patient and (4.2.) the family

 

5. Health professionals

5.1. Health professional burnout

5.2. Communication with patients and families

6. CB model applications to CD (e.g. Cancer; HIV/SIDA; Infertility; Chronic pain; Diabetes)

Assessment Methods

Continuous
Individual assignment, outside the classroom: 25.0%
Group assignment, concerning a practical application: 37.5%
Individual test, in classroom: 37.5%

Final
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Moorey, S. & Greer, S. (2012). Oxford Guide to CBT for People with Cancer. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Nikcevic, A., Kuczmierczyk, A., & Bruch, M. (Eds.).(2006). Formul and treatment in clinical health psychology. Hove: Routledge.

Sage, N., Sowden, M., Chorlton, E., & Edeleanu, A. (2008). CBT for chronic illness and palliative care: A workbook and toolkit. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Salmon, P. (2000). Psychology of medicine and surgery: A guide for psychologists, counselors, nurses and doctors. Chichester:John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Safren, S., Gonzalez, J., Soroudi, N. (2008). Coping with Chronic Illness: A CB therapy approach for adherence and depression. New York: Oxford University Press.

Taylor, R.(2006). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Illness and Disability. New York: Springer.

White,C. A. (2001). Cognitive-behaviour therapy for chronic medical problems: A guide to assessment and treatment in practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.