Students will explore key topics related to the main approaches within psychosomatic medicine, with a specific focus on the principal settings of clinical psychological work in healthcare, both with adults and in developmental age. The course will address major psychopathological conditions and their associations with medical diseases.

In-depth study will be devoted to themes such as the placebo effect, treatment compliance, psychocardiology, psycho-oncology, and other hospital contexts in which the clinical psychologist may operate.

Evidence-based guidelines will be provided for the planning and implementation of clinical-psychological interventions in healthcare settings. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to conduct clinical diagnoses and to plan psychological interventions effectively.

Learning objectives

• Understanding of healthcare contexts and settings in which clinical psychologists operate.

• Knowledge of major medical and psychopathological conditions relevant to health psychology and psychosomatic practice.

• Familiarity with the main theoretical models guiding psychological interventions in healthcare contexts.

• Ability to perform clinical diagnoses, including the selection and use of appropriate diagnostic tools.

• Ability to write a clinical record and to guide patients toward the most suitable psychological interventions.

• Capacity to independently plan and manage clinical work in healthcare settings.

• Ability to conduct clinical interviews effectively.

• Ability to select, administer, and interpret psychodiagnostic tests.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with patients and other healthcare professionals

• Development of the learning abilities required for advanced university-level study and clinical training

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of clinical psychology and psychopathology is required.