PHS77 - Development and Validation of Psychological Intervention Guideline for Patients Diagnosed with Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Managing Non-communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs) involves important challenges for health systems especially in developing countries, due to the demand of comprehensive healthcare programmes, aimed to reduce the gradual deterioration, the symptom severity and the economic impact at the family and the state level. The objective of the study was to develop an evidence-based guideline for psychological intervention to support the work of clinical and health psychologists, as part of a comprehensive care of patients diagnosed with NCDs. A systematic review was performed, and recommendations based on empirical evidence about psychological interventions to approach the psychological and social factors of the disease of patients diagnosed with NCDs were proposed. The inclusion of such recommendations in the guideline was achieved through meetings of informal consensus with group members. The experts and patients suggestions were also considered in the process. The evidence-based recommendations were scored according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) standards. Scientific evidence provided the following main topics related to psychological intervention on NCDs: (1) health education; (2) managing of anxiety/depression; (3) health-related quality of life; (4) adherence and compliance; and (5) self-efficacy and self-control. In addition, recommendations about psychometric instruments or tests for evaluation and measurement of psychological constructs were considered. This guideline is ready to start a validation processes and its implementation in a clinical setting. The clinical and medical psychology practice guideline is the first step to stablish an evidence-based compendium of recommendations to optimize the health outcomes in patients diagnosed with NCDs and our intention is to include this guideline as part of comprehensive health care programmes highlighting the psychological and psychosocial interventions as the main line of action for patients’ health improvement.