Send letter to journal:
Re: Time to get to grips with cardiac psychology.

Dear Editor

Newman's article [1] underscores the link between thoughts (cognitions), emotions and the behaviour that results from the combination. This is the basis of psychology but this model of human behaviour is not always understood by Cardiology colleagues.

It is sometimes assumed that health threatening behaviour, for example continuing to smoke after a cardiac event, is a form of willful self- neglect or the result of lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking. As a result of this inappropriate model of behaviour, inappropriate interventions are offered: more education by nurses or scare tactics by the cardiologist. Although each may work for a small number of people, neither is optimally effective as it does not target the belief system that maintains the emotional distress and perpetuates the behaviour.

Cardiology care would be more effective if it adopted a model of behaviour that is consistent with the evidence base. The time is right for cross- fertilisation of evidence and Psychologists have a responsibility to make this available to Cardiologists who, inturn, have a responsibility to use it.

Reference

(1) Newman S. The psychological perspective: a professional view. Heart 2003; 89: 16ii-18ii