The Department of Clinical Psychology CPE Institute of Cardiology was set up in October 2017 in order to focus on the primary and secondary prevention of heart disease by incorporating strategies to address the emotional and behavioral barriers to lifestyle changes (e.g. smoking cessation). It also seeks to enhance recovery in cardiac patients by means of providing help (e.g. stress management and psychotherapy) to cope with life and physical changes associated with disease. Cardiac psychologists can help cardiac patients on prevention, pre-surgery, post-surgery, and rehabilitation of cardiac disease with a particular emphasis on achieving optimal quality of life outcomes.
American Heart Association (AHA) supports the idea of addressing mental health and heart health together. In fact, in 2008, the AHA recommended that every heart patient be screened for depression based on findings that heart patients are three times as likely to be depressed as the general population. Most experts in the field recommend cross-training for those in traditional disciplines so providers can offer a more holistic approach to their heart disease patients. Another option is to form interdisciplinary teams to work with cardiac patients who also experience mental health challenges.
Facilities
The following services are offered by department:
- Psychological Wellness Clinic
- Psychological Assessment of cardiac patients
- Psychological Management of cardiac patients
- Trauma Counselling Service
- Free Counselling Services for Hospital staff and their families
- Out-Door Consultation
- Pre-Cardiac Surgery Psychological Assessment and Management
- Post-Cardiac Surgery Psychological Assessment and Management
- Seminar and Workshop on personality grooming for staff
- Family Counselling