1. Psychology Applied to Optometry

2. Course Syllabus 1.Psychology and visual health 2.Non-version communication 3.The visual exam 4.Performance of the visual exam 5.Giving bad news 6.Difficult patients and managing complaints

3. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH STRUCTURE OF THE THEME: 1.The psychology of health 2.The prevention of illness 3.Biomedical model and biopsychosocial model 4.Psychological and social aspects relative to vision

4. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH 1.psychology of health HEALTH AND ILLNESS: OMS (1964): state of complete physical, mental, and social well- being. It is not merely the absence of illness or ailment. ILLNESS: Deviation from the state of good health

5. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH Behavior when ill: the global response of the individual to illness. Illness has a different meaning for every individual which can affect its evolution and even its appearance.

6. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY OF HEALTH: Field of psychology that interrelates the physical and behavioral aspects of health and illness Establishes recommendations for the interaction between healthcare professional and patient Tries to clarify and explain why certain damaging behaviors, such as smoking, continue

7. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH Basic suppositions of the Psychology of Health Certain behaviors increase the risk of contracting certain illnesses (behavior is a risk factor) The modification of certain behavior can reduce the probability of contracting certain illnesses Behavior can be changed relatively easily Psychological interventions can be performed effectively with a favorable cost-benefit analysis

8. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND VISUAL HEALTH 2. The prevention of illness PREVENTION: PRIMARY: behavioral strategies to prevent the appearance of illnesses still absent SECONDARY: strategies to eliminate or control existing problems before they worsen TERTIARY: strategies to reduce the probability of relapse in already treated conditions

9. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH 3. Biomedical model and biopsychosocial model a) BIOMEDICAL MODEL: physiological and physical aspects of illnesses –Pathologist –Reductionist –Curative –Mind-body division –Biological diagnosis –“Segmented” patient –External treatment of patient –Distant doctor-patient relationship

10. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH b) Biopsychosocial (Engels, 1977) The line between health and illness is unclear Doctors strive to maintain good health

11. BIOMEDICAL MODELBIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL Avoid illness and postpone deathPromote health and improve the quality of life Prevent illnessReduce risk factors. Promote healthy lifestyles Act on causesAct on risk factors Only healthcare professionals and technicians intervene Other sectors of the professional “community” intervene MultidisciplineTransdicipline Team work is desireableTeamwork is unavoidable Diverse professional sectors and social participation are desireable Diverse professional sectors and social participation are the base of the model Doctor-patient relationship is adjectiveDoctor-patient relationship is fundamental PARADIGMS OF THE TWO MODELS

12. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH EXAMPLE: treatement of a child with short-sightedness BIOMEDICAL MODEL BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL

13. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND VISUAL HEALTH BIOMEDICAL MODEL: Cuantification of the refractive state Eye exam Advice on the most adequate glasses and lenses for the case

14. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL: In addition to the previous tests: –Knowledge of the child’s behavioral guidelines in the familiy environment and at school Posture while reading or writing Illumination Whether the child has learning disabilities or relationship problems with friends or classmates –Explain the usefulness of following a program of visual therapy –Direct the patient to other relevant professionals

15. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH 4. Psychological and social aspects relative to vision Psychology: present in many university programs directed towards the science of health In optometry, psychology is important for: –Optometrist-patient relationship –Successful termination of treatment –Patient anxiety –Special groups: dislexic children, the elderly, people with intellectual or aural disabilities

16. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH Vision: coordinates the other senses An important source of emotional expression

17. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH Vision: coordinates the other senses An important source of emotional expression

18. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH Disconcertion upon failure of visual information Glasses or contact lenses: alterations to self-image

19. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE OPTOMETRIST: Stereotypes of those who wear glasses: –More intelligent –More honest –Less attractive (especially women) First time they realize they need glasses: rejection, disability Farsightedness: resistance Children with glasses: beware!

20. THEME 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND VISUAL HEALTH Poor vision, elderly people (visual degeneration). Potential recourse Stereotypical blind person: solitary, destitute, dependent, depressed. Sudden loss of vision results in depression in 5-15% of cases Be careful with certain behaviors in front of blind people!