Edumecentro (Feb 2024)
Professional testimony of health psychology in the central region of Cuba. (1964-2023)
Abstract
Background: the so-called provinces of Las Villas and Havana treasure the first experiences on health psychology in Cuba; although this story has been insufficiently disseminated in the central region of the country. Objective: to identify distinctive aspects of health psychology from 1964 to 2023 in the former province of Las Villas, and later, in Villa Clara. Methods: a historical research was carried out at Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences, from January to March 2023. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis, induction-deduction, historical-logical and systemic; empirical: documentary research in historical sources of proven veracity, interviews with key informants and testimonies of the authors. Results: in the 1968-1969 academic year, Psychology was inserted into the programs of the Ministry of Public Health, in Havana and Las Villas. Since the founding of the National Society of Health Psychology and the Las Villas Branch in 1975, the specialty has been in progress: the graduation of several specialists, completion of four master's degrees and a line of doctoral research, several events with participation International exchange, scientific exchanges with other universities, and the accreditation of the specialty are some of the advances that distinguish it. Conclusions: health psychology in the central region of Cuba has been on the rise since its foundation. Its achievements in the scientific and academic scenarios have been strengthened under the direction of a group of founders who, with creativity and responsibility, have become promoters and actors of its successes.
