Prospectus

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Psychological Assessment and Interventions in Chronic Disease

Course
2016-2017

Entry requirements

Only open to master’s students in Psychology with specialisation Health Psychology

Description

In this course the epidemiology of, and specific psychosocial problems associated with a variety of chronic diseases and physical problems (e.g. coronary heart disease, pain syndromes, cancer, diabetes) are introduced. Commonly used psychological assessment instruments measuring these psychosocial problems and related concepts are discussed such as illness cognitions, pain, coping, social support, self-management, stress, and health-related quality of life. Finally, disease-specific psychosocial intervention strategies for the enhancement of quality of life and/or self-management in patients with chronic disease are addressed.

In the seminars the use of different assessment instruments and the practical use of specific intervention strategies in patients with chronic disease are addressed. These interventions are based on cognitive behaviour therapy and self-regulation/behaviour change principles.

Course objectives

On completion of the course students:

  • have acquired in-depth knowledge about different chronic diseases.

  • have acquired knowledge and skills concerning diagnosis of psychological consequences in patients with chronic diseases.

  • have learned to reflect and comment on the use and relevance of psychological interventions in chronic patients.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, work groups and exams, please select your study programme in:
Psychology timetables

Lectures
Work group sessions
Exams

Registration

Course

Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions.
Master’s course registration

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date. Students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

  • 7 2-hour review-type lectures

  • 7 3-hour seminars/work group sessions. Attendance is mandatory for the seminars.

Assessment method

The final grade is based on a written exam, consisting of essay questions, (50 %) and a paper (50 %). Students have to pass both the exam and the paper.

Study material for the exam:

Boyer, B.A., Paharia, M.I. (Eds.) (2008). Comprehensive Handbook of Clinical Health Psychology. Hoboken: J. Wiley & Sons. (Chapters 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15), and the powerpoint presentations of the lectures posted on blackboard.

Paper:

Students are requested to write, together with another student, a paper on the psychosocial consequences, assessment and the effectiveness of psychological interventions related to a specific chronic disease.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Reading list

Boyer, B.A., Paharia, M.I. (Eds.) (2008). Comprehensive Handbook of Clinical Health Psychology. Hoboken: J. Wiley & Sons.

Contact information

Dr. Véronique De Gucht
<degucht@fsw.leidenuniv.nl>