Psicología de la Salud cubana: apuntes históricos y proyecciones en los inicios del siglo XXI

Abstract

Historical aspects of the development of Cuban Health Psychology have been s
ystematised for more than 42
years, since their incorporation in the National Health System, focusing o
n three groups of determinants. In the
first group the appearance of a new way of thinking is combined with th
e recognition of the bio-psychosocial
model following the change from the old biomedical model, the new concept
ualization of the health-illness
process, and the growing knowledge of psychological and social factors asso
ciated with this process, the
transition in the epidemiological profiles, the impact of the concepts
of wellbeing and health-related quality of
life, the incorporation of primary health care as a fundamental scenario for many
health-related actions, and
the importance of working in interdisciplinary teams. A second group covers th
e social changes that occurred
in Cuba after the decade of 60s, which gave shape to these new conception
s with a preventive approach with
a social perspective. The third group of determinants is related to the devel
opment of Psychology itself, with
specific fields of action. In addition, the immediate tasks for Cuban
Health Psychology are being determined
for the present time, as well as the formulation of its basic perspecti
ve in the context of
world trends in this
discipline for the future.