Abstract

NOVOA, Mónica  and  BALLESTEROS DE VALDERRAMA, Blanca Patricia. The role of the psychologist in an intensive care unit. Univ. Psychol. [online]. 2006, vol.5, n.3, pp. 599-612. ISSN 1657-9267.

The research presented in this article was aimed to specify in detail psychologist’s role in the context of an Intensive Care Unit, from the work at the Health Service Humanization Project, carried out by the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana from 1994 to 2000. This research is framed as a documental one, with a non-experimental design of an evaluative type aimed to evaluate the results of the activities carried out in function of the proposed objectives. Results were analysed at two levels: a qualitative level though Logical Frames Methodology and a quantitative level, with descriptive and correlation statistics. Results allowed to define psychologist’s role in three fundamental areas: attention to patients at the ICU, attention to family members or caregivers, and work with health personnel. These three areas are related to the objective of improving this people quality of life.

Keywords : Psychologist role; Critical patient; Health Psychology; Care Unit.

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