510667 - HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

The course is divided into four main modules, combining theoretical input, case discussions, applied workshops, and narrative exploration. Module 1 – Foundations of Health Psychology Introduction to Health Psychology and its origins The biopsychosocial model and person-centered healthcare Risk behaviors, prevention, and health promotion Psychological factors in disease development and management Mind-body interaction and mental health Health inequalities and psychosocial determinants Module 2 – Psychological Experiences of Illness and Chronicity The lived experience of illness Psychological impact of diagnosis and illness trajectories Coping strategies and psychological adjustment Quality of life and redefinition of identity The care relationship as an emotional and relational resource Module 3 – Communication, End-of-Life, and Death Studies Empathy and active listening in patient-provider communication Shared decision-making and narrative-based approaches Death education and training for end-of-life care Bereavement, loss, and the meaning of death in contemporary society Communicating in palliative and terminal care contexts Storytelling, graphic medicine, and alternative communication tools Module 4 – Methods for Exploring the Illness Experience Introduction to illness experience and qualitative approaches in health psychology Autobiographical narratives, reflective writing, and phenomenological interviews Graphic medicine, body mapping, and other visual tools Thematic analysis and participatory methods (e.g., photovoice, patient journey, narrative interview) Strategies for giving voice and meaning to the patient's perspective in research and practice