Systemic Psychotherapeutic Intervention in Chronic Illness Conditions and Palitive Care

Year
3
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01016472
Subject Area
Psychology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

The student must have good knowledge of English (reading) since many bibliographic references are in English.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical and practical teaching with the use of lectures and active methodologies, fostering the articulation between theoretical concepts and their application, through practical exercises; all material is provided prior to the classes, encouraging research and critical thinking.

Learning Outcomes

Obtain a relational understanding of sicken and illness. Be able to identify some of the implications of the chronic disease conditions in the family/environment, as well as identify the actors of the evaluation/intervention unit in a concrete situation. To be able to analyze a chronic illness condition using the psychosocial typological matrix (Rolland) and, from there, to consider concrete forms of intervention. Understand the importance of the system of beliefs, considering all the partners included in the situation, know how to evaluate them and integrate them into the intervention. To be able to formulate intervention guidelines from these model/techniques. Be able to intervene in the context of palliative care in terminal illness, namely in oncological situations. Be able to communicate with other professionals in a context of collaboration in the treatment of chronic disease. Train some of the proposed methodologies /techniques.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I - Systemic intervention and chronic illness

1. Assumptions, objectives and fundaments; the biopsychosocial model

2. Chronic illness definition

3. Systemic approach to family, health and illness

II - Evaluation /intervention unit in chronic illness

1. Models: Rolland’s model

2. The patient and the illness

2.1. Psychosocial typology and the illness cycle

3. Family and social support

3.1. Key family variables

3.2 Functions of the social support network

3.3. Genogram, ecomap and health/illness network map

3.4. Beliefs system

4. Intervention techniques

III - The case of terminal illness

1. Characterization and specificities. Palliative care

2. Grief and anticipatory grief

3. Informal caregivers and family

IV - Collaboration between medical and mental health professionals

1. Levels and contexts of care

2. Relation of collaboration and medical care

V - Other applications of the systemic intervention model in chronic illness

1. Psychoeducation Approache. Cancer and vascular stroke. 

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Paula Pais Rodrigues Fonseca Relvas

Assessment Methods

Assessment
A group work (40% of final grade) on a continuing basis, with a critical and supported analysis of a real case of a chronic illness situation. : 40.0%
Mini Tests: 60.0%

Bibliography

Areia, N., Fonseca, G., Major, S., & Relvas, A. P. (2018). Psychological morbidity in family caregivers of people living with terminal cancer: Prevalence and predictors. Palliative Support Care, 26, 1-8.

Gonzalez, S., Steinglass, P. & Reiss, D. (1989). Putting the illness in its place: discussion groups for families with chronic medical illness. Family Process, 28, 1.

McDaniel, S.H. et al(2014). Competencies for Psychology Practice in Primary Care. American Psychologist, 69(4):409-29.

Navarro, J. (2002). Familia y enfermedad: Problemas y técnicas de intervención. Psychologica, 31, 63-83.

Portugal, A.; Relvas, A. P.; A., N. (2014), Viver e conviver com a dor em família. Intervenção sistémica e familiar. In N. Barata (Org.), Intervenção na dor. Porto: LIVPSIC.

Rolland, J. S. (1994). Families, illness, and disability. An integrative treatment model. NY: Basic Books

Sousa, L., Mendes, Á., & Relvas, A. P.(2007). Enfrentar a velhice e a doença crónica. Lisboa: Climepsi.