Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Medical and Communication Psychology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
PMUPK_015
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Medical Services
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Lelde Smilte-Breča
Structure Unit Manager
Māris Taube
Structural Unit
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy
Contacts

Riga, 30 Kristapa Street, pmpk@rsu.lv, +371 67210989

About Study Course

Objective

Students should acquire knowledge about the interaction of psychic and somatic processes and develop the skill of building a therapeutic relationship with the patient.

Preliminary Knowledge

An idea of the dual, scientific and humanitarian nature of psychic processes.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Knowledge of the interaction of psychic and somatic processes and competence in the formation of a therapeutic relationship between a prosthetic orthotic specialist and a patient.

Skills

1.Skills to make therapeutical relationships with patients and to provide emotional support.

Competences

1.To analyse the role of physical, emotional and social factors in etiology and pathogenesis of disease.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Independant work
-
10 points

Clinical case analysis.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
10 points

I. Knowledge – an ability to define (60%): 1. Patient’s mental health criteria (20%); 2. Patient’s psychic defense mechanisms (20%); 3. Main principles of specialist – patient relationship in orthotics and prosthetics (20%). II. Skills (40%): 1. Main principles of forming the therapeutic relationship in orthotics and prosthetics (20%); 2. Elements of supportive psychotherapy in orthotics and prosthetics (20%).

The final score is cumulative. It consists of:

  1. Intermediate Assessment – 50%.
  2. Final Assessment (50%) – conducted electronically via the e-learning platform or organized in person as a multiple-choice test covering the topics addressed in the course.

Automatic credit for the final assessment may be granted if the following criteria are met:

  • The intermediate assessment grade is at least 8 points;
  • Absences do not exceed 25% of scheduled classes;
  • Full attendance of all classes or completion of missed classes due to justified reasons;
  • Completion of independent work, as determined by the lecturer, on one of the following:

a) a topic covered in the cycle’s lessons (literature review);

b) a clinical case study;

c) the latest research relevant to the lesson topic.
2.

Multiple-choice test
50.00% from total grade
10 points

A multiple-choice test based on the overview of the lectures and the topics of the first four lessons.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Biopsychosocial model in medicine. Stress and stressors, biopsyopathological vulnerability model.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Affects, feelings and emotions. Classification of emotions. Concepts of emotional intelligence and alexithymia. Somatization, somatization theories. The role of emotions in the somatization process. Biodynamic processes and psychodynamic processes.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

The concept of therapeutic relationship. The ability to listen. Empathy, sympathy, antipathy in therapeutic communication. The role of emotions in communication. Communication and types of communication are described. The ability to listen. The concept of empathy. The role of empathy, sympathy and antipathy in the therapeutic relationship with the patient. The practical part – role playing.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Concept of psychotherapy and types of psychotherapy. Definition of psychotherapy. Aims, indications and contraindications of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy process – evaluation phase, initial phase of therapy, working through phase and termination phase. Phenomena of transference, countertransference and resistance.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Psychic defense mechanisms. The relationship between conflict, anxiety and psychic defense mechanisms. Definition of psychic defense mechanisms. Primary and secondary defense mechanisms. Examples of psychic defense mechanisms.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Personality functioning levels - neurotic, borderline and psychotic functioning level. Building a therapeutic relationship. The practical part – role playing.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Intermediate test. Overview of personality organization structures, manifestations of therapeutic relationships. Paranoid, schizoid, dependent, antisocial, narcissistic, dissociative, hysterical personality structure. Analysis of patient cases.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Overview of organizational structures of personality, manifestations of therapeutic relationships. Masochistic, depressive, manic, obsessive-compulsive personality structure. Analysis of patient cases.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Analysis of clinical cases. Summary. Final questions and answers. Exam.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Psychoanalytic Diagnosis. 2nd Edition Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process. Nancy McWilliams, 2020.

2.

A.Utināns. Cilvēka psihe Tās darbība, funkcionēšanas traucējumi un ārstēšanas iespējas. Nacionālais apgāds. 2005. 568 lpp. (akceptējams izdevums)

3.

Sudraba, V., & Skaldere-Darmudasa, G. Psihosomatiskā medicīna. Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2022.

Additional Reading

1.

B. Luban - Plozza, W. Poldinger, F. Kroger – Psychosomatic Disorders in General Practice. Springler – Verlag. 1992.

2.

H. I. Kaplan, B. J. Sadoc – Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 2017.

3.

Long- term impact of childhood trauma explained, 2.05.2023

4.

Medical-level empathy? Yup, chatGPT can fake that, 4.05.2023

5.

Anger in adults a red flag for childhood trauma, 5.04.2023

6.

Vegetarians suffer more depression than meat eaters, 27.12.2022

7.

J. Kulbergs – Dinamiskā psihiatrija. Jumava. 2001. (akceptējams izdevums)

8.

Why do we love sad music? Mourning our pain, 27.11.2018

9.

Greater Handgrip Strength tied to lower risk for depression, 20.12.2022

10.

What happens when doctors and patients interrupt each other?, 23.11.2022

11.

Melatonin a new way to reduce self-harm, 27.03.2023

12.

Empathy fatigue in clinicians rises with latest COVID-19 surge, 16.09.2021