Get specialized education for the design and implementation of health promotion and cancer prevention programs"

The diagnosis of cancer has repercussions in all areas of the patient's life, physically, psychologically and at work. In this sense, and to ensure an adequate recovery, people must receive psychological care from the first moment of diagnosis. To this end, the professionals assigned to this task must be prepared and do an exceptional job.

The Master's Degree in Psycho-Oncology will allow students specialized in psychology to be prepared with a scientific-professional qualification, focused on the comprehensive care of cancer patients at all stages of the disease, i.e., from diagnosis to possible palliative care. They will also be able to provide support to the patient's relatives or caregivers.

On the other hand, special emphasis will be placed on the need to improve psychologists' skills in communicating with patients and their families, managing their emotions and dealing with stressful or conflicting situations that may arise. This way, they will have a better understanding of the diagnostic and treatment process. This will be essential to ensure adherence to treatment by the patient, reducing the adverse effects of treatment Likewise, we will seek to improve the students' ability to effectively manage professional stress, known as Burnout, promoting personal self-care.

In addition, students' learning will be guaranteed and carefully cared for to promote the importance of prevention and health education. By evaluating and attending in an optimal way to the quality of life of the patient and their relatives, they will be able to act under criteria of efficacy, efficiency and effectiveness with the rest of the work team.

Identify those somatic symptoms and/or psychological alterations that are perceived by the oncology patient as a threat to continue with their life”

This Master's Degree in Psycho-Oncology contains the most complete and up-to-date program on the market. The most important features include:

• Practical cases presented by experts in Psycho-Oncology
• The graphic, schematic, and practical contents with which they are created, provide scientific and practical information on the disciplines that are essential for professional practice
• Practical exercises where self-assessment can be used to improve learning
• Its special emphasis on innovative methodologies in Psycho-Oncology
• Theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments 
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an Internet connection

Help your patients to adapt to the disease during the biomedical treatment process”

The program’s teaching staff includes professionals in the sector who contribute their work experience to this training program, as well as renowned specialists from leading societies and prestigious universities.

Multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will allow professionals to learn in a contextual and situated learning environment, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide immersive learning designed to prepare them for real situations.

The design of this program focuses on Problem-Based Learning, by means of which professionals must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise during the academic year. For this purpose, the student will be assisted by an innovative interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts.

The patient's family is equally important. Perform preventive care actions for them according to the stages of the disease"

Develop your empathy to help family members cope with the grief of cancer victims"

The syllabus of this program has been designed following the requirements that the sector demands from its professionals. In addition, it has the contributions of the teaching staff, which knows perfectly the needs of oncology patients. In this way, this program will enable students to learn about the physical, psychological, social and economic aspects that affect patients and their families. They will also be able to develop a strategy to avoid work stress and face any situation that requires their intervention.

Accompany the oncology patient and help them cope with the anxiety and anguish of such a complicated disease"

Module 1. Characterization and Fields of Application of Psycho-Oncology

1.1. Cancer and its Impact on Current Society

1.1.1. Cultural Variability
1.1.2. Incidence, Prevalence and Mortality

1.2. Myths, Beliefs and Pseudotherapies Related to Cancer
1.3. Medical Care for Cancer Patients

1.3.1. Early Detection of Cancer
1.3.2. Surgery and Treatment

1.4. Risk Factors and Cancer

1.4.1. Psychoneuroimmunology
1.4.2. Stress, Coping Styles and Personality Variables

1.5. Cancer Prevention

1.5.1. Primary and Secondary Prevention
1.5.2. Health Education and Healthy Lifestyle Habits

1.6. Functions of the Psycho-Oncologist: Their Role Within the Hospital Environment
1.7. Teaching, Training, Specialization and Accreditation in Psycho-Oncology
1.8. Objectives and Areas of Psychological Intervention for Cancer Patients and their Families
1.9. Other Disciplines Related to Psycho-Oncology

1.9.1. Psychology as an Intersection Between Oncology and Health Psychology

1.10. Approach to the Social Needs of the Cancer Patient

1.10.1. Economic and Occupational Impact. Job Reintegration
1.10.2. Social Support and Cancer

Module 2. Psychological Treatments in Cancer and Third Generation Therapies

2.1. Effective Psychological Treatments in Psycho-Oncology
2.2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Cancer Treatment

2.2.1. Identification of Automatic Thoughts and Modification of Cognitions
2.2.2. Activation Control Techniques

2.2.2.1. Diaphragmatic Breathing Training
2.2.2.2. Progressive Muscular Relaxation

2.2.3. Behavioral Activation
2.2.4. Exposition Techniques and Guided Imagination

2.3. Cognitive Training Program
2.4. Rehabilitation Program Based on Physical Exercise
2.5. Mindfulness

2.5.1. MindfulnessTraining Program
2.5.2. Compassion and Self-Compassion Practice

2.6. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

2.6.1. Components of ACT and Clinical Methods

2.7. Therapy Focused on the Search for Meaning

2.7.1. Cancer and Feeling. Exploration of the Sources of Meaning

2.8. Dignity Therapy

2.8.1. The Concept of Dignity in Cancer Patients
2.8.2. Models of Dignity. Chochinov

2.9. Systemic Family Therapy

2.9.1. Family and Cancer. Most Common Family Dynamics

2.10. Pseudotherapies and Pseudosciences Against Cancer

2.10.1. Positions of Government Agencies
2.10.2. Pseudotherapies and Pseudosciences With and Without Scientific Evidence

Module 3. Most Relevant Psychological Aspects According to Different Tumor Locations

3.1. Leukemias, Lymphomas and Myelomas

3.1.1. Bone Marrow Transplantation and Isolation Situations

3.2. Breast Cancer and Gynecology

3.2.1. Body image
3.2.2. Sexuality
3.2.3. Self-esteem
3.2.4. Chemobrain Effect

3.3. Prostate Cancer

3.3.1. Incontinence and Sexual Impotence

3.4. Colon Cancer and the Digestive System

3.4.1. Living with a Colostomy

3.5. Intervention in Laryngectomized Patients

3.5.1. Speech Therapy Intervention
3.5.2. Alteration in Social and Work Life

3.6. Head and Neck Tumors
3.7. Thyroid Cancer
3.8. Tumors of the Central Nervous System

3.8.1. Cognitive Deficits and Mobility Limitations

3.9. Lung Cancer
3.10. Child Cancer

3.10.1. Emotional Development and Child Intellect
3.10.2. Social Impact on the Child
3.10.3. Impact on the Family

Module 4. Protocols for Emotional Intervention at the End of Life

4.1. Palliative Care Objectives
4.2. Evaluation of Suffering
4.3. Process of Psychosocial Adaptation at the End of Life

4.3.1. Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Reactions

4.4. Triadic Interaction Model for Patients, Family and Healthcare Professionals
4.5. Specific Interventions Centered on the Patient

4.5.1. Anxiety
4.5.2. Sadness
4.5.3. Hostility
4.5.4. Fear
4.5.5. Blame
4.5.6. Denial
4.5.7. Withdrawal

4.6. Specific Needs of the Family. Assessment of the Patient-Family Unit

4.6.1. Conspiracy of Silence
4.6.2. Family Claudication

4.7. Interventions Oriented Towards Health Professionals

4.7.1. Working in Multicultural Teams
4.7.2. Prevention of BurnoutSyndrome

4.8. Attention to the Spiritual Needs of the Patient

4.8.1. Existential Angst and Religious Experience

4.9. Psychological Intervention in Pediatric Palliative Care
4.10. Advance Decision-Making Process and Planning (ADP)

4.10.1. Declaration and Registry of Advance Vital Wills

Module 5. Grief Management

5.1. Death, Culture and Society

5.1.1. Health Professionals in the Face of Death

5.2. Psychological Evaluation of Grief

5.2.1. Interview and Specific Instruments for Assessment

5.3. Common Reactions to Grief

5.3.1. Normal Grief and Complicated Grief
5.3.2. Vulnerability Factors
5.3.3. Differential Diagnosis Between Grief and Depression

5.4. Main Theoretical Models About Grief

5.4.1. Bowlby's Attachment Theory
5.4.2. Nuclear Beliefs and Meaning Reconstruction
5.4.3. Conceptual Models About the Trauma

5.5. Objectives of Intervention in Grief and Recommended Interventions

5.5.1. Facilitating the Normal Process of Grief. Prevention of Complicated Grief
5.5.2. Suggestions for Intervention Before and After the Death
5.5.3. Bereavement Psychotherapy from an Integrative Relational Model

5.6. Group Intervention in Attention to Grief

5.6.1. Psychological Intervention Grief Due to the Loss of a Child

5.7. Stages of Grief

5.7.1. Bereavement Tasks

5.8. Grief in Children
5.9. Suicide and Cancer
5.10. Psychopharmacology in Attention to Grief

Module 6. Communication with the Oncologic Patient

6.1. Illness, Communication and the Helping Relationship

6.1.1. Doctor-Patient Communication as a Possible Factor of Improvement and Iatrogenesis. Pain and Suffering Prevention
6.1.2. Communication Barriers

6.2. How to Give Bad News About Cancer

6.2.1. Answers to Difficult Questions
6.2.2. Communication in Complicated Situations

6.3. Counselling Techniques in Clinical Practice

6.3.1. Counselling Attitudes
6.3.2. Assertive Communication
6.3.3. Emotional Control
6.3.4. Problem-Solving and Responsible Decision-Making

6.4. Relationship Models and Therapeutic Influence

6.4.1. Paternal Model
6.4.2. Informative Model
6.4.3. Interpretive Model
6.4.4. Deliberative Model

6.5. Tools for Emotional Support in Cancer

6.5.1. How to Speak With a Cancer Patient. Guide for Friends and Family
6.5.2. Levels of Emotional Interaction

6.6. Non-Verbal Communication in the Support Relationship
6.7. Communication in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

6.7.1. Learning to Talk About Death

6.8. Talking About Cancer With Children
6.9. Communication in People With Communication Deficits
6.10. Treatment of Cancer in the Media

6.10.1. Cancer on Social Networks

Module 7. Evaluation and Measurement Instruments

7.1. The Psycho-Oncology Clinical Interview
7.2. Evaluation of the Needs of the Cancer Patient

7.2.1. Needs Evaluation Questionnaire(NEQ)
7.2.2. Patient Needs Assessment Tool, (PNAT)
7.2.3. The Short-Form Cancer Needs Questionnaire, (CNQ)

7.3. Evaluation of the Quality of Life of the Cancer Patient

7.3.1. EORTC Questionnaire (European Organization for Research and Therapy of Cancer)
7.3.2. FACT Questionnaire (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy)
7.3.3. SF 36 Health Questionnaire

7.4. Main Evaluation Questions for Physical Symptoms of Cancer

7.4.1. Questions for Pain Assessment
7.4.2. Questions for Fatigue and Quality of Sleep Evaluation
7.4.3. Cognitive Screening and Functional State Questionnaires
7.4.4. Questionnaires for the Evaluation of Sexuality

7.5. Detection of Distress and Assessment of Suffering

7.5.1. Emotional Distress Screening Questionnaire
7.5.2. Emotional Distress Thermometer
7.5.3. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD)
7.5.4. Subjective Perception of the Passing of Time

7.5.4.1. Waiting Times in Oncology

7.6. Socio-Familial Assessment and Valuation

7.6.1. Perception of the Family Function. APGAR Family Questionnaire
7.6.2. Family Relationship Index (FRI)
7.6.3. Self Report Family Inventory (SFI)

7.7. Coping Assessment Questionnaires for Cancer Patients

7.7.1. Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC)
7.7.2. Questionnaire to Measure Coping Styles. Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS)
7.7.3. COPE Questionnaire

7.8. Assessment Tools for Spiritual Needs

7.8.1. Spiritual Needs and Well-Being Assessment Scale from GES (Spiritual Group). Part of SEPCAL (Spanish Society for Palliative Care)
7.8.2. Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well-Being
7.8.3. The Patient Dignity Inventory

7.9. Self-Report and Observation

7.9.1. Clinical Case Formulation

7.10. Psychological Assessment of Children in Palliative Care

Module 8. Other Psychological Interventions in Specific Cancer-Related Areas

8.1. Psychological Treatment to Give Up Smoking

8.1.1. Myths About Tobacco
8.1.2. Analysis of Smoking Behavior. Physical and Psychological Dependence
8.1.3. Program Structure. Sessions and Methodology
8.1.4. Abstinence and Prevention of Relapse

8.2. Early Detection of Cancer

8.2.1. Screening Tests (Mammography, FOBT, Cytology, etc.)
8.2.2. Anticipatory Anxiety and Difficulties in Participation
8.2.3. Oncologic Genetic Counseling

8.3. Mutual of Self-Help Groups
8.4. Psycho-Educational Groups for Family Members and Patients

8.4.1. Topics to Approach and Work Methodology
8.4.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

8.5. Psychological Intervention in Cancer Survivors. The Return to “Normality”
8.6. Control of Secondary Effects in Cancer Patients

8.6.1. Pain Control
8.6.2. Against Fatigue and Sleep
8.6.3. Sexuality Control
8.6.4. Cognitive Alterations. Chemobrain Effect

8.7. Preparation and Intervention for Hospitalization and Surgery
8.8. Psychological Preparation for Other Medical Treatment (Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, etc.)
8.9. Psychological Intervention in Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT)
8.10. Strategies for Training Volunteers in Cancer Patient Care

8.10.1. The Volunteer Interview. Assignment and Matching of the Volunteer to Each Profile
8.10.2. Specific Training of the Volunteer. Tutoring and Monitoring

Module 9. Research in Cancer

9.1. World Declaration for Cancer Research
9.2. Methodology of Cancer Research

9.2.1. Cancer Prevention Area
9.2.2. Cancer Treatment Area

9.3. Common Errors in Psych-Oncology Research
9.4. Steps to Follow to Carry Out Psycho-Oncology Research
9.5. Epidemiological Research Into Cancer
9.6. Biomedical Research

9.6.1. Participation in Clinical Trials in Cancer
9.6.2. Doubts, Risks and Benefits
9.6.3. Distribution of Clinical Trials Per Type of Cancer

9.7. Main Advances in Research

9.7.1. Priority Areas of Research in Psycho-Oncology
9.7.2. Priority Areas of Research in Palliative Care
9.7.3. New Lines of Research

9.8. Lines of Research from Social Work
9.9. Publications on Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care in Scientific Journals

9.9.1. Writing of Scientific Articles

Module 10. Ethical Aspects in Psycho-Oncology and Psychology in Palliative Care

10.1. Telling the Patient the Truth or Not. Managing the Bearable Truth
10.2. Cancer and Ethics: A Complex Interaction

10.2.1. Principled Bioethics
10.2.2. Personalistic Bioethics
10.2.3. Double Effect Principle

10.3. Anthropological Basis

10.3.1. The Experience of Fragility
10.3.2. The Experience of Suffering
10.3.3. The Person as Wounded Healer

10.4. Rights of the Cancer Patient

10.4.1. Informed consent
10.4.2. GDPR and Confidentiality of Medical History

10.5. Ethical Duties of Health Care Workers Caring for Cancer Patients
10.6. Death with Dignity

10.6.1. Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
10.6.2. Adequacy or Limitation of Treatment, Refusal of Treatment, Sedation, Therapeutic Obstinacy

10.7. Participation of the Patient in Their Process of Illness, Treatment and Decision-Making

10.7.1. Moral Dialogue

10.8. Humanization in the Care of Cancer Patients

10.8.1. Quality and Warmth

10.9. Ethical Care Committees and Clinical Research
10.10. Inequalities and Cancer Equity

10.10.1. Current Situation in Palliative Care

Develop your capacity for empathy, listening and compassion to tune in to the patient's pain and accompany them at all times”