Syllabus (ENGLISH)

*) This syllabus refers only to the psychosocial module of the BS-MS class.

It does NOT comprise the content of the biological module, which will be communicated by the teachers delivering that part of the class.

COURSE 1. Introduction in human behavior
Behavior and personality, theoretical models of behavior, criteria for disentangling between normal and pathological behavior, variables that can influence behavior (biological, psychosocial and cultural).

Risky behavior (alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse)
Prevalence, triggers, theoretical models, clinical symptoms, modalities of therapeutic intervention

COURSE 2. Behavior in clinically difficult circumstances

a) Incurable patients

Psychological reactions to death and suffering and factors influencing them. Palliative Care (characteristics, models, key concepts: e.g., good death, unmet needs, dignity of death), actors and institutions providing Palliative Care (case manager, hospices). Psychological assistance of palliative patients: characteristics and ethical dilemmas: role of hope in incurable patients; euthanasia and medically-assisted suicide.

b) Surgical patients

Characteristics of the therapeutic relationship in surgery. Psychological reactions and behaviors of surgical patients. Effective psychological assistance for surgical patients.

COURSE 3. Key concepts of Medical Sociology and their relationship to health

The role of Medical Sociology in the better understanding of disease and treatment-related behavior. Importance of group affiliation for health representations and derived behaviors. Relationship between social stratification and health/illness. Cultural differences concerning the interpretation and expression of suffering. Social inclusion and health. Cross-cultural differences influencing the doctor-patient relationship. The concept of “physician cultural competence”.

COURSE 4.Behavioral intervention. Psychotherapy: effects on patients, doctors and patients’ caregivers
Short-term objective-centered psychotherapy, transactional analysis, group and family therapy, art-therapy, narrative medicine (definitions, theoretical bases, indications, efficiency).