Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.P.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Introduction to Psychosomatics

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
PMUPK_020
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Pharmacy
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Marta Zande
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

The objective of the study course is to promote the acquisition of knowledge about the regularities of human psychic functioning and the interaction of psychic and somatic processes.

Preliminary Knowledge

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

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Analyse the role of psychiatric factors in somatic diseases.

2.Describe levels of functioning and personality types.

3.Describe psychosomatic disorders and disease ethypopatogenesis.

4.To name and express themselves as basic principles of communication.

Skills

1.Students will be able to briefly describe the etiopatogenesis of cases of psychosomatic patients, explain the possibilities for using the placebo effect.

2.Demonstrate basic elements of therapeutic contact.

Competences

1.Students will be able to analyse the role of biological, emotional and social factors in the aetiology and pathogenesis of diseases.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Analysis
-
-

Analysis of patient case descriptions.
2.

Study course evaluation questionnaire
-
-

In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must complete the study course evaluation questionnaire on the student portal.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Knowledge
75.00% from total grade
10 points

I. Knowledge: ability to define 75%: 1. Patient mental health criteria (15%) 2. Psychic defence mechanisms (15%) 3. Levels of functioning and personality type (15%) 4. Origin of psychosomatic disorders and diseases, psychodynamic understanding of the symptom (15%) 5. Contact, its principles in the work of a pharmacist (dual role – patient/customer) (15%).
2.

Skills
25.00% from total grade
10 points

II. Skills: 1. Basics of developing a pharmacist-patient-client relationship 25%.
3.

Mid-semester examination
50.00% from total grade
10 points

Final assessment is cumulative. It consists of:

1. Mid-semester examination (50%). At the discretion of the teaching staff:

  • analysis of video material
  • Clinical case Description
  • Open questions at the beginning of the lesson
  • Test
  • preparation of presentation on the topic of the lesson
4.

Final test
50.00% from total grade
10 points

2. Final examination (50%) – online or in-person multi-choice test on topics discussed within the course.

It is possible to receive an automatic pass if following criteria are met:

  • Midterm examination grade is 8 and above;
  • 100% attendance of classes or additional assignments for classes that are missed due to justifiable reasons (if no more than 25% of classes are missed)
  • independent work at the choice of the teacher: (a) literature review of the latest research of one of the topics; (b) clinical case analysis; (c) presentation about one of the topics

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

(Lecture) Psychic defence mechanisms.
Description

Psychic defence mechanisms.

  • Immature (primary) psychic defence mechanisms.
  • Mature (secondary) psychic defence mechanisms.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Affect theory. Emotions, affects, their physiological role, psychophysiological classification. The role of emotions in the somatisation process. Emotional intelligence.
Description
  • Innate emotions.
  • Adequate and inadequate expression of emotions.
  • The importance of emotions in the view of evolutionary theory.
  • Somatic expressions of affects – the process of somatisation as a form of modern communication.
  • The importance and expressions of emotional intelligence.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Biopsychosocial model in medicine, main psychosomatic theories, concept of alexitymia. Stress, its types. Somatization.
Description
  • Biopsychosocial model in medicine, main psychosomatic theories, concept of alexitymia.
  • Stress, its types.
  • Somatization.
  • Mental, social and biological causes of disease (WHO).
  • Bio-psycho-pathological vulnerability model: the effect of early childhood emotional distress on the risk of developing emotional and somatic disorders in adulthood (Egle and Hardt research findings).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Concept of personality. Topographical and structural model of the functioning of the psyche. Personality development from the perspective of different theories.
Description
  • Personality definitions.
  • Understanding personality in classic Freud theory.
  • Understanding personality in modern psychodynamic theory.
  • Comparing personality theories in a psychotherapeutic view.
  • The notion of personality disorder: patterns of conflict and deficit.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Psychosexual and epigenetic theory of development. Ego psychology. Psychology of self. Personality development from the perspective of various theories. Object relations theory.
Description
  • Psychosexual and epigenetic theory of development, psychosocial crises.
  • Ego psychology.
  • Psychology of self.
  • Personality development from the perspective of various theories (E.Erickson, H.Kohut, M.Mahler).
  • Object relations theory.
  • The role of mother-child relationships in the child’s mental development, the emotional aspects of breast feeding.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality functioning levels.
Description

Neurotic, borderline, psychotic functioning level:

  • identity,
  • reality testing,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • internal conflict
  • ability to build relationships.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality types and disorders - depressive and manic, narcissistic, obsessive and compulsive, hysterical (histrionic), dissociative, addictive, masochistic personality.
Description

Depressive and manic, narcissistic, obsessive and compulsive, hysterical (histrionic), dissociative, addictive, masochistic:

  • leading affects,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • coping strategies,
  • internal conflict,
  • object relations;
  • characteristics of patient/client-pharmacist relationship.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality types and disorders – schizoid, paranoid, anti-social personality.
Description

Schizoid, paranoid, anti-social personality:

  • leading affects,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • coping strategies,
  • internal conflict,
  • object relations;
  • characteristics of patient/client-pharmacist relationship.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

The concept of psychotherapy. The process of psychotherapy.
Description
  • The concept of psychotherapy.
  • Goals.
  • Indications, contraindications.
  • Psychotherapy theories.
  • Introduction to psychotherapy process (evaluation phase, initial treatment phase, development phase, termination phase).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

More common phenomena affecting therapeutic alliances and contact. Basic principles and ethical aspects of contact between pharmacist and patient/customer. Role-playing games. Exam.
Description
  • Transference, contraransference, resistance - their role in the therapeutic alliance.
  • The role of pharmacist in the healthcare system.
  • Basic principles and ethical aspects of contact between pharmacist and patient/customer.
  • Practical part: role-playing games on complex or conflicting situations in contact between pharmacist and patient/client.

Exam

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Different types of psychotherapy. Differences between different types of therapy, their applications.
Description
  • Psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) psychotherapy.
  • Supportive psychotherapy.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • Individual, couples, family, group psychotherapy.
  • Child and adolescent psychotherapy.
  • Differences between different types of therapy, their applications.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

(Lecture) Psychic defence mechanisms.
Description

Psychic defence mechanisms.

  • Immature (primary) psychic defence mechanisms.
  • Mature (secondary) psychic defence mechanisms.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Affect theory. Emotions, affects, their physiological role, psychophysiological classification. The role of emotions in the somatisation process. Emotional intelligence.
Description
  • Innate emotions.
  • Adequate and inadequate expression of emotions.
  • The importance of emotions in the view of evolutionary theory.
  • Somatic expressions of affects – the process of somatisation as a form of modern communication.
  • The importance and expressions of emotional intelligence.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Biopsychosocial model in medicine, main psychosomatic theories, concept of alexitymia. Stress, its types. Somatization.
Description
  • Biopsychosocial model in medicine, main psychosomatic theories, concept of alexitymia.
  • Stress, its types.
  • Somatization.
  • Mental, social and biological causes of disease (WHO).
  • Bio-psycho-pathological vulnerability model: the effect of early childhood emotional distress on the risk of developing emotional and somatic disorders in adulthood (Egle and Hardt research findings).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Concept of personality. Topographical and structural model of the functioning of the psyche. Personality development from the perspective of different theories.
Description
  • Personality definitions.
  • Understanding personality in classic Freud theory.
  • Understanding personality in modern psychodynamic theory.
  • Comparing personality theories in a psychotherapeutic view.
  • The notion of personality disorder: patterns of conflict and deficit.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Psychosexual and epigenetic theory of development. Ego psychology. Psychology of self. Personality development from the perspective of various theories. Object relations theory.
Description
  • Psychosexual and epigenetic theory of development, psychosocial crises.
  • Ego psychology.
  • Psychology of self.
  • Personality development from the perspective of various theories (E.Erickson, H.Kohut, M.Mahler).
  • Object relations theory.
  • The role of mother-child relationships in the child’s mental development, the emotional aspects of breast feeding.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Psychosexual and epigenetic theory of development. Ego psychology. Psychology of self. Personality development from the perspective of various theories. Object relations theory.
Description
  • Psychosexual and epigenetic theory of development, psychosocial crises.
  • Ego psychology.
  • Psychology of self.
  • Personality development from the perspective of various theories (E.Erickson, H.Kohut, M.Mahler).
  • Object relations theory.
  • The role of mother-child relationships in the child’s mental development, the emotional aspects of breast feeding.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality functioning levels.
Description

Neurotic, borderline, psychotic functioning level:

  • identity,
  • reality testing,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • internal conflict
  • ability to build relationships.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality types and disorders - depressive and manic, narcissistic, obsessive and compulsive, hysterical (histrionic), dissociative, addictive, masochistic personality.
Description

Depressive and manic, narcissistic, obsessive and compulsive, hysterical (histrionic), dissociative, addictive, masochistic:

  • leading affects,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • coping strategies,
  • internal conflict,
  • object relations;
  • characteristics of patient/client-pharmacist relationship.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality types and disorders – schizoid, paranoid, anti-social personality.
Description

Schizoid, paranoid, anti-social personality:

  • leading affects,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • coping strategies,
  • internal conflict,
  • object relations;
  • characteristics of patient/client-pharmacist relationship.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Personality types and disorders – schizoid, paranoid, anti-social personality.
Description

Schizoid, paranoid, anti-social personality:

  • leading affects,
  • psychic defense mechanisms,
  • coping strategies,
  • internal conflict,
  • object relations;
  • characteristics of patient/client-pharmacist relationship.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

The concept of psychotherapy. The process of psychotherapy.
Description
  • The concept of psychotherapy.
  • Goals.
  • Indications, contraindications.
  • Psychotherapy theories.
  • Introduction to psychotherapy process (evaluation phase, initial treatment phase, development phase, termination phase).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

More common phenomena affecting therapeutic alliances and contact. Basic principles and ethical aspects of contact between pharmacist and patient/customer. Role-playing games. Exam.
Description
  • Transference, contraransference, resistance - their role in the therapeutic alliance.
  • The role of pharmacist in the healthcare system.
  • Basic principles and ethical aspects of contact between pharmacist and patient/customer.
  • Practical part: role-playing games on complex or conflicting situations in contact between pharmacist and patient/client.

Exam

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
3

Topics

Different types of psychotherapy. Differences between different types of therapy, their applications.
Description
  • Psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) psychotherapy.
  • Supportive psychotherapy.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • Individual, couples, family, group psychotherapy.
  • Child and adolescent psychotherapy.
  • Differences between different types of therapy, their applications.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
39 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Women at higher risk for inflation-related stress, 24.05.2023Suitable for English stream

2.

Medical-level empathy? Yup, chatGPT can fake that, 4.05.2023Suitable for English stream

3.

Long- term impact of childhood trauma explained, 2.05.2023Suitable for English stream

4.

Anger in adults a red flag for childhood trauma, 5.04.2023Suitable for English stream

5.

Melatonin a new way to reduce self-harm, 27.03.2023Suitable for English stream

6.

Utināns A. Cilvēka psihe. Tās darbība, funkcionēšanas traucējumi un ārstēšanas iespējas. Nacionālais apgāds. 2005. 205.-568. lpp. (akceptējams izdevums)

7.

Ancāne, G. Hronisku sāpju stāvokļu psihosomatiska izpratne. //Latvijas Ārsts. 2004. Nr1. 40.-43. lpp. (akceptējams izdevums)

Additional Reading

1.

Ancāne, G., Smite, D. Die Bedeutung emotionaler Belastung für das Schmerz- syndrom bei Patienten mit chronischem Kreuzschmerz. Ärztliche Psychotherapie 1/ 2011., 49.-54. lpp.Suitable for English stream

2.

Ancāne, G. Ķermeņa un psihes saistība. //Psiholoģijas Pasaule. 2004. Nr.1, 38.-43. lpp.

3.

Why do we love sad music? Mourning our pain, 27.11.2018Suitable for English stream

4.

Empathy fatigue in clinicians rises with latest COVID-19 surge, 16.09.2021Suitable for English stream

5.

German survey on assisted suicide: how to handle this? Where should caution be exercised?, 16.09.2022Suitable for English stream

6.

What happens when doctors and patients interrupt each other?, 23.11.2022Suitable for English stream

7.

Vegetarians suffer more depression than meat eaters, 27.12.2022Suitable for English stream

8.

Greater Handgrip Strength tied to lower risk for depression, 20.12.2022Suitable for English stream