Medical Psychology
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with psychological aspects of the somatic illness and
medical treatment, stages of coping with terminal disease and dying, elementary knowledge of
psychotherapy trends and also to provide them with communication skills improving the doctorpatient relation.
Teachers:
1. dr Monika Wiłkość- lectures
2. mgr Agnieszka Szałkowska- seminars
Contact: dr Monika Wiłkość, monikawilkosc@gmail.com, mgr Agnieszka Szałkowska
aga.szalkowska@gmail.com
Syllabus
I.
Department of Psychiatry
II.
Head of the Unit: prof. dr hab. Aleksander Araszkiewicz
III.
Faculty of Medicine, Medical Program, 1st year.
IV.
Course coordinator: prof. dr hab. Aleksander Araszkiewicz
V.
Form of the classes:
1st term: lectures (5hours) and seminars (5 hours)
2nd term: lectures (5hours) and seminars (5 hours)
VI.
Form of crediting: credit with grade, 1 ETCS points
VII.
Number of hours: 20 h
VIII.
Aim of the course:
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with psychological aspects of the somatic illness and
medical treatment, stages of coping with terminal disease and dying, elementary knowledge of
psychotherapy trends and also to provide them with communication skills improving the doctorpatient relation.
IX.
Topics of lectures:
The norms and pathologies in mental health.
The concept of stress, coping styles and health.
The role of psychological factors in pathogenesis, development and treatment of somatic illness.
The stages of coping with terminal illness, grief and dying.
The main theories of personality and psychotherapy recommendations in the course of somatic
diseases:
a) Psychoanalytic theory of Freud and its implications for psychotherapy.
b) The theory of ego of Eric Ericson.
c) The behaviorist theories and their impact on psychotherapy.
d) The cognitive – behavioral therapy and its application in treatment of depression and anxiety
disorders.
e) The humanistic theories of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.
f) Family systems therapy as a way of understanding of individual’s pathologies.
Topics of seminars:
Interpersonal communication:
Verbal and nonverbal communication
Active listening
Communicational barriers including stereotypes, intercultural differences, prejudices.
Psychological bases of doctor-patient relation:
Asymmetric contact – for and against
Informing about terminal disease
Cooperation with patient's family in the course of illness.
Compliance in the process of medical treatment:
Patient's motivation to recovery
Abiding medical prescriptions – typical problems
Motivating patients to active participation in medical treatment process.
X.
Self-study topics: none
XI.
Booklist:
1. Suzanne M. Kurtz, Jonathan Silverman, Juliet Draper (2005). Teaching And Learning
Communication Skills In Medicine. Oxford ; San Francisco : Radcliffe Pub
2. Christine A. Hinz (2000). Communicating with Your Patients: Skills for Building Rapport.
American Medical Association
3. Stanley B. Messer PhD (Editor), Alan S. Gurman Phd (Editor) (2011). Essential
Psychotherapies, Third Edition: Theory and Practice. The Guilford Press
Detailed list of required practical skills and confirmation of completing:
1. Communications competence useful in medical examination and medical treatment in
different branch of medicine.
a. (self-activity during seminars)
2. Skills in informing about diagnosis.
a. (self-activity during seminars)
3. Ability to characterize patient's family situation – characteristics of emotional states,
reactions, needs. Familiarity with strategies of involving a family during a recovery process.
a. (self-activity during seminars)
4. Familiarity with compliance problems appearing during medical treatment. Skills in creating
individual problem solving strategies.
a. (self-activity during seminars)
5. Familiarity with major psychotherapy trends. Ability to relegate patients to psychotherapy as
a supplement of medical treatment in different medical states.
a. (self-activity during seminars and test)
Rules and regulations
1. Students are not to be late for classes.
2. The students have to come for classes prepared.
3. The tutor may check if students are prepared for laboratory classes.
4. The total attendance at seminars and lectures should be minimum 80%
5. The score on the written test covering the knowledge given during the lectures and seminars
should be minimum 50% of correct responses