Psychological interventions and health: critical connections

Cynthia D. Belar

University of Florida Health Science Center, USA

 

Abstract: The objective of the study was to discuss critical connections between psychological interventions and health can at various levels: the individual/family, the community/worksite, the health care system, and the general population itself. Psychologists have developed interventions that have positively impacted health in the areas of prevention and health promotion, recovery from illness, management of physical symptoms, stressful medical procedures, adherence and health care systems design. Sites of interventions can range from health care clinics and hospitals to school systems, worksites, communities and public health agencies. As the influence of psychological factors in health becomes more widely appreciated, there will be increasing needs for clinical health psychologists who are appropriately trained to provide these services. The Arden House Conference delegates (1983) outlined education and training for clinical health psychologists that has been accepted to date in the United States. In addition to a broad education in the discipline of psychology, clinical health psychologist need knowledge and skills in a broad core areas.

Key words: Psychological intervention in health, Health psychology, Training in health psychology.

 

 

Intervenção psicológica e saúde: conexões críticas

Resumo: O objectivo do presente estudo é discutir as relações fundamentais entre as intervenções psicológicas e a saúde a vários níveis: o indivíduo, a família e a população em geral. Os psicólogos desenvolveram intervenções que tiveram um impacto positivo em áreas de prevenção e de promoção da saúde, tratamento de doenças, gestão de sintomas físicos, procedimentos médicos stressantes, e promoção da adesão aos tratamentos. Os contextos de intervenção variam desde os cuidados de saúde e hospitais até ao sistema educacional, locais de trabalho, e contextos comunitários e de saúde pública.Com o desenvolvimento da aceitação da influência dos factores psicológicos na saúde, haverá um aumento das necessidades de psicólogos clínicos da saúde com treino apropriado para o fornecimento desses serviços. Os delegados à Conferência de Arden House (1983) desenharam programas de formação para os psicólogos clínicos da saúde que foi aceite nos Estados Unidos da América. Este programa torna mais ampla a formação destes psicólogos.

Palavras chave: Intervenção psicológica em saúde, Psicologia da saúde, Treino em psicologia da saúde.

 

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