Description

• Medical psychology is a medical specialty that deals with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness. Medical psychologists, also known as clinical psychologists, specialize in understanding and treating the psychological impact of medical conditions on patients and providing psychological support to those suffering from acute or chronic illnesses.

  Some of the major duties and responsibilities of medical psychology include:

  1. Psychological evaluation: Medical psychologists perform psychological evaluations to assess the psychological state of patients such as their mood, emotions, coping mechanisms, and quality of life in relation to their medical condition.

  2. Counseling and therapy: Medical psychologists provide counseling and psychological therapy to patients to help them cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of their illness. They may use techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and other interventions to reduce emotional stress and anxiety.

  3. Coping with chronic illness: Medical psychologists support patients in coping with chronic illness and its psychological impact on their daily lives.

  4. Palliative care: Medical psychologists are involved in palliative care, providing psychological support to patients and their families as they cope with terminal illness and the approaching end of life.

  5. Treatment of psychosomatic disorders: Medical psychologists treat psychosomatic disorders, in which psychological factors play a role in physical symptoms and health problems.

  6. Hospital consultation: Medical psychologists often work with other medical specialists in the hospital to conduct psychological assessments and provide psychological support to patients during their hospital stay.

  7. Behavioral change support: Medical psychologists can help patients with behavioral changes, such as smoking cessation, weight loss, and medication and treatment compliance.

  Medical psychology is essential to improve the quality of life of patients, to provide psychological support during their medical treatment and to help them cope with the emotional challenges of illness and recovery. Medical psychologists often work as part of a multidisciplinary medical team to provide a comprehensive approach to care that encompasses both the physical and psychological aspects of health and illness.

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Created on: 28-07-2023
Updated on: 28-07-2023

Breadcrumb: Departments / Medical Psychology
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