Integrated Care Models and Neuropsychological Intervention Tech. Applied to Cardiovascular Diseases and Metabolic Synd.
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
· The aim of the course is to provide students with a historical and current overview of psychocardiology, to
understand the evolution and importance of this field in the management of cardiovascular diseases.
· The course aims to discuss the importance of integrating clinical psychology services into relevant operative
units/departments (cardiology, cardiac surgery, psychological rehabilitation) in synergy with other services, such as
non-profit organizations, for a holistic management of the cardiac patient.
· The purpose of the course is to describe the various psychological interventions to be implemented based on the
type of heart disease and the patient's developmental age.
· The course aims to consolidate the knowledge of motivational interviewing and basic communication skills (open
questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries) to promote patient autonomy in managing their disease, to
improve treatment adherence and quality of life, also in preparation for the Techniques of Communication and
Relationship with the Cardiac Patient laboratory
understand the evolution and importance of this field in the management of cardiovascular diseases.
· The course aims to discuss the importance of integrating clinical psychology services into relevant operative
units/departments (cardiology, cardiac surgery, psychological rehabilitation) in synergy with other services, such as
non-profit organizations, for a holistic management of the cardiac patient.
· The purpose of the course is to describe the various psychological interventions to be implemented based on the
type of heart disease and the patient's developmental age.
· The course aims to consolidate the knowledge of motivational interviewing and basic communication skills (open
questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries) to promote patient autonomy in managing their disease, to
improve treatment adherence and quality of life, also in preparation for the Techniques of Communication and
Relationship with the Cardiac Patient laboratory
Expected learning outcomes
· At the end of the course, students will be able to analyze and evaluate the psychosocial aspects that characterize
adults with various types of heart disease, and to propose targeted psychological interventions based on the
characteristics and needs of the patient.
· Students will acquire the necessary skills to apply strategies that promote patient autonomy in managing their
disease, with the aim of improving treatment adherence and quality of life.
· Students will be able to understand and apply the theoretical principles of motivational interviewing, using them
as a preparatory tool for practical exercises in the laboratory.
· Students will gain greater competence in the design and implementation of research projects (both quantitative
and qualitative) for patients with various types of heart disease.
adults with various types of heart disease, and to propose targeted psychological interventions based on the
characteristics and needs of the patient.
· Students will acquire the necessary skills to apply strategies that promote patient autonomy in managing their
disease, with the aim of improving treatment adherence and quality of life.
· Students will be able to understand and apply the theoretical principles of motivational interviewing, using them
as a preparatory tool for practical exercises in the laboratory.
· Students will gain greater competence in the design and implementation of research projects (both quantitative
and qualitative) for patients with various types of heart disease.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
1. Needs analysis and Introduction to Psychocardiology: History and Areas of Application
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To provide a historical and current overview of psychocardiology.
2. Psychological Approach in Congenital Heart Disease, International and Multidisciplinary Guidelines, and
Integration of Clinical Psychology Services
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the importance of integrating clinical psychology services and the support of nonprofit associations.
3. Research in Psychocardiology: Quantitative and Qualitative Research with Examples of Congenital and Acquired
Heart Disease
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the specific psychosocial aspects of adults with congenital heart disease and
appropriate psychological interventions.
4. Psychocardiology in Childhood and Adolescence: Psychological Support in the Hospital and Transition
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To introduce art therapy as a method of psychological support in the hospital and to explore
strategies to promote patient autonomy in disease management.
5. Psychosocial Aspects in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease and Psychological Interventions
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the specific psychosocial aspects of adults with congenital heart disease and
appropriate psychological interventions.
6. Psychological Intervention with Acquired Heart Disease; Psychosocial Aspects of Patients in Cardiovascular
Surgery and Cardiological Rehabilitation
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the specific psychosocial aspects of adults with acquired heart disease and appropriate
psychological interventions and to explain the structured intervention of the psychologist in rehabilitation.
7. Motivational Interviewing Applied to the Cardiac Patient. Review of Material, Conclusion, and Final Feedback
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To elaborate on the theoretical aspect of motivational interviewing in preparation for laboratory
exercises.
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To provide a historical and current overview of psychocardiology.
2. Psychological Approach in Congenital Heart Disease, International and Multidisciplinary Guidelines, and
Integration of Clinical Psychology Services
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the importance of integrating clinical psychology services and the support of nonprofit associations.
3. Research in Psychocardiology: Quantitative and Qualitative Research with Examples of Congenital and Acquired
Heart Disease
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the specific psychosocial aspects of adults with congenital heart disease and
appropriate psychological interventions.
4. Psychocardiology in Childhood and Adolescence: Psychological Support in the Hospital and Transition
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To introduce art therapy as a method of psychological support in the hospital and to explore
strategies to promote patient autonomy in disease management.
5. Psychosocial Aspects in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease and Psychological Interventions
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the specific psychosocial aspects of adults with congenital heart disease and
appropriate psychological interventions.
6. Psychological Intervention with Acquired Heart Disease; Psychosocial Aspects of Patients in Cardiovascular
Surgery and Cardiological Rehabilitation
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To discuss the specific psychosocial aspects of adults with acquired heart disease and appropriate
psychological interventions and to explain the structured intervention of the psychologist in rehabilitation.
7. Motivational Interviewing Applied to the Cardiac Patient. Review of Material, Conclusion, and Final Feedback
· Duration: 4 hours
· Objectives: To elaborate on the theoretical aspect of motivational interviewing in preparation for laboratory
exercises.
Prerequisites for admission
· Possess a basic knowledge of clinical interview techniques and psychological assessment, necessary for practical
exercises and understanding clinical cases.
· Have a fundamental understanding of the principles of health psychology and chronic illness, for a holistic view
of the cardiac patient.
· Basic knowledge of research methodologies in psychology, essential for understanding and analyzing scientific
articles discussed in the course.
· Ability to read scientific articles in English, as some of the teaching material may be in this language
exercises and understanding clinical cases.
· Have a fundamental understanding of the principles of health psychology and chronic illness, for a holistic view
of the cardiac patient.
· Basic knowledge of research methodologies in psychology, essential for understanding and analyzing scientific
articles discussed in the course.
· Ability to read scientific articles in English, as some of the teaching material may be in this language
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures, subgroup work, answers to questions and surveys (through Wooclap). Relevant slides and Wooclap
output will be provided on Ariel following the completed lectures.
output will be provided on Ariel following the completed lectures.
Teaching Resources
· Apers, S., Kovacs, A. H., Luyckx, K., Alday, L., Berghammer, M., Budts, W., . . . Moons, P. (2014). Assessment of
Patterns of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adults with Congenital Heart disease - International Study
(APPROACH-IS): Rationale, design, and methods. Int J Cardiol, 179C, 334-342. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.11.084
· Callus, E., Farè, C., & Quadri, E. (2015). Psychological Aspects in Congenital Heart Disease: A Lifelong Perspective.
In G. Butera, M. Chessa, A. Eicken, & J. Thomson (Eds.), Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease (pp.
149-156): Springer Milan.
· Callus, E., Pagliuca, S., Bertoldo, E. G., Fiolo, V., Jackson, A. C., Boveri, S., . . . Menicanti, L. (2020). The monitoring
of psychosocial factors during hospitalization before and after cardiac surgery until discharge from cardiac
rehabilitation: a research protocol. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2202.
· Callus, E., Pagliuca, S., Boveri, S., Ambrogi, F., Luyckx, K., Kovacs, A. H., . . . the International Society for Adult
Congenital Heart, D. (2021). Phenotypes of adults with congenital heart disease around the globe: a cluster
analysis. Health Qual Life Outcomes, 19(1), 53. doi:10.1186/s12955-021-01696-x
· Callus, E., Pietrabissa, G., & Vilchinsky, N. (2021). Editorial: Mind the Heart - Psychosocial Risk Factors and
Cognitive Functioning in Cardiovascular Disease. Front Psychol, 12, 670235. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.670235
· Callus, E., & Pravettoni, G. (2018). The Role of Clinical Psychology and Peer to Peer Support in the Management of
Chronic Medical Conditions - A Practical Example With Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. Front Psychol, 9,
731. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00731
· Callus, E., Quadri, E., & Chessa, M. (2010). Elements of psychocardiology in the psychosocial handling of adults
with congenital heart disease. Front Psychol, 1, 34. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00034
· Callus, E., Quadri, E., Compare, A., Tovo, A., Giamberti, A., & Chessa, M. (2013). Life experiences and coping
strategies in adults with congenital heart disease. Pediatr Med Chir, 35(5), 231-240. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24516946
· Callus, E., Quadri, E., Passerini, C., & Tovo, A. (2015). Psychological Functioning and Life Experiences in Adults
with Congenital Heart Disease. In Clinical Psychology and Congenital Heart Disease, Lifelong Psychological Aspects
and Interventions: Springer-Verlag Italia.
· Callus, E., Utens, E. M., Quadri, E., Ricci, C., Carminati, M., Giamberti, A., & Chessa, M. (2014). The impact of
actual and perceived disease severity on pre-operative psychological well-being and illness behaviour in adult
congenital heart disease patients. Cardiol Young, 24(2), 275-282. doi:10.1017/S1047951113000218
· Campioni, G., Callus, E., & Quadri, E. (2015). The Role of Associations in Congenital Heart Disease: Peer
Counseling and Advocacy. In Clinical Psychology and Congenital Heart Disease, Lifelong Psychological Aspects and
Interventions: Springer-Verlag Italia.
· Moons, P., Bratt, E. L., De Backer, J., Goossens, E., Hornung, T., Tutarel, O., . . . Thomet, C. (2021). Transition to
adulthood and transfer to adult care of adolescents with congenital heart disease: a global consensus statement
of the ESC Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (ACNAP), the ESC Working Group on Adult
Congenital Heart Disease (WG ACHD), the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC),
the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), the Asia-Pacific Pediatric Cardiac Society (APPCS), the InterAmerican Society of Cardiology (IASC), the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ), the
International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD), the World Heart Federation (WHF), the
European Congenital Heart Disease Organisation (ECHDO), and the Global Alliance for Rheumatic and Congenital
Hearts (Global ARCH). Eur Heart J, 42(41), 4213-4223. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehab388
· Quadri, E., Callus, E., Palmero, E., & Farè, C. (2015). Art Therapy as a Psychological Intervention for Hospitalized
Congenital Heart Disease Children In Clinical Psychology and Congenital Heart Disease, Lifelong Psychological
Aspects and Interventions: Springer-Verlag Italia.
· Sommaruga, M., Angelino, E., Della Porta, P., Abatello, M., Baiardo, G., Balestroni, G., . . . Pierobon, A. (2018).
Best practice in psychological activities in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation: Position Paper. Monaldi
Arch Chest Dis, 88(2), 966. doi:10.4081/monaldi.2018.966
· Utens, E., Callus, E., Levert, E. M., De Groote, K., & Casey, F. (2018). Multidisciplinary family-centred psychosocial
care for patients with CHD: consensus recommendations from the AEPC Psychosocial Working Group -. Cardiol
Young, 28(2)
· Van Bulck, L., Luyckx, K., Goossens, E., Apers, S., Kovacs, A. H., Thomet, C., . . . Moons, P. (2019). Patient-reported
outcomes of adults with congenital heart disease from eight European countries: scrutinising the association with
healthcare system performance. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 18(6), 465-473. doi:10.1177/1474515119834484
· Il corpo malato. L'intervento psicologico. Bruno G. Bara (Curatore). Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2023
Patterns of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adults with Congenital Heart disease - International Study
(APPROACH-IS): Rationale, design, and methods. Int J Cardiol, 179C, 334-342. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.11.084
· Callus, E., Farè, C., & Quadri, E. (2015). Psychological Aspects in Congenital Heart Disease: A Lifelong Perspective.
In G. Butera, M. Chessa, A. Eicken, & J. Thomson (Eds.), Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease (pp.
149-156): Springer Milan.
· Callus, E., Pagliuca, S., Bertoldo, E. G., Fiolo, V., Jackson, A. C., Boveri, S., . . . Menicanti, L. (2020). The monitoring
of psychosocial factors during hospitalization before and after cardiac surgery until discharge from cardiac
rehabilitation: a research protocol. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2202.
· Callus, E., Pagliuca, S., Boveri, S., Ambrogi, F., Luyckx, K., Kovacs, A. H., . . . the International Society for Adult
Congenital Heart, D. (2021). Phenotypes of adults with congenital heart disease around the globe: a cluster
analysis. Health Qual Life Outcomes, 19(1), 53. doi:10.1186/s12955-021-01696-x
· Callus, E., Pietrabissa, G., & Vilchinsky, N. (2021). Editorial: Mind the Heart - Psychosocial Risk Factors and
Cognitive Functioning in Cardiovascular Disease. Front Psychol, 12, 670235. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.670235
· Callus, E., & Pravettoni, G. (2018). The Role of Clinical Psychology and Peer to Peer Support in the Management of
Chronic Medical Conditions - A Practical Example With Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. Front Psychol, 9,
731. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00731
· Callus, E., Quadri, E., & Chessa, M. (2010). Elements of psychocardiology in the psychosocial handling of adults
with congenital heart disease. Front Psychol, 1, 34. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00034
· Callus, E., Quadri, E., Compare, A., Tovo, A., Giamberti, A., & Chessa, M. (2013). Life experiences and coping
strategies in adults with congenital heart disease. Pediatr Med Chir, 35(5), 231-240. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24516946
· Callus, E., Quadri, E., Passerini, C., & Tovo, A. (2015). Psychological Functioning and Life Experiences in Adults
with Congenital Heart Disease. In Clinical Psychology and Congenital Heart Disease, Lifelong Psychological Aspects
and Interventions: Springer-Verlag Italia.
· Callus, E., Utens, E. M., Quadri, E., Ricci, C., Carminati, M., Giamberti, A., & Chessa, M. (2014). The impact of
actual and perceived disease severity on pre-operative psychological well-being and illness behaviour in adult
congenital heart disease patients. Cardiol Young, 24(2), 275-282. doi:10.1017/S1047951113000218
· Campioni, G., Callus, E., & Quadri, E. (2015). The Role of Associations in Congenital Heart Disease: Peer
Counseling and Advocacy. In Clinical Psychology and Congenital Heart Disease, Lifelong Psychological Aspects and
Interventions: Springer-Verlag Italia.
· Moons, P., Bratt, E. L., De Backer, J., Goossens, E., Hornung, T., Tutarel, O., . . . Thomet, C. (2021). Transition to
adulthood and transfer to adult care of adolescents with congenital heart disease: a global consensus statement
of the ESC Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (ACNAP), the ESC Working Group on Adult
Congenital Heart Disease (WG ACHD), the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC),
the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), the Asia-Pacific Pediatric Cardiac Society (APPCS), the InterAmerican Society of Cardiology (IASC), the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ), the
International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD), the World Heart Federation (WHF), the
European Congenital Heart Disease Organisation (ECHDO), and the Global Alliance for Rheumatic and Congenital
Hearts (Global ARCH). Eur Heart J, 42(41), 4213-4223. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehab388
· Quadri, E., Callus, E., Palmero, E., & Farè, C. (2015). Art Therapy as a Psychological Intervention for Hospitalized
Congenital Heart Disease Children In Clinical Psychology and Congenital Heart Disease, Lifelong Psychological
Aspects and Interventions: Springer-Verlag Italia.
· Sommaruga, M., Angelino, E., Della Porta, P., Abatello, M., Baiardo, G., Balestroni, G., . . . Pierobon, A. (2018).
Best practice in psychological activities in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation: Position Paper. Monaldi
Arch Chest Dis, 88(2), 966. doi:10.4081/monaldi.2018.966
· Utens, E., Callus, E., Levert, E. M., De Groote, K., & Casey, F. (2018). Multidisciplinary family-centred psychosocial
care for patients with CHD: consensus recommendations from the AEPC Psychosocial Working Group -. Cardiol
Young, 28(2)
· Van Bulck, L., Luyckx, K., Goossens, E., Apers, S., Kovacs, A. H., Thomet, C., . . . Moons, P. (2019). Patient-reported
outcomes of adults with congenital heart disease from eight European countries: scrutinising the association with
healthcare system performance. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 18(6), 465-473. doi:10.1177/1474515119834484
· Il corpo malato. L'intervento psicologico. Bruno G. Bara (Curatore). Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2023
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam: Close ended questions (multiple choice)
Results will be communicated via Ariel.
Results will be communicated via Ariel.
M-PSI/08 - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 8
Lessons: 56 hours
Professors:
Callus Edward, Guiddi Paolo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment via e-mail
Reception:
The time and place of the office hours will be communicated by the professor during class.
The time and place of the office hours will be communicated by the professor during class.