Between April 9th and 11th, 2024, the Nursing Department of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) hosted two researchers from Riga Stradiņš University in Latvia within the framework of the Erasmus+ program. The aim of the visit was to exchange experiences and establish partnerships in relation to psycho-oncology. The visit was coordinated by Dr. Angelos Kassianos, Lecturer in Health Psychology of the Department of Nursing who hosted Ms. Jana Duhovska, Director of the Art Therapy Program in the Department of Health Psychology and Pedagogy and Dr. Guna Bērziņa Head of the Department of Rehabilitation, Doctor of Physical and Medical Rehabilitation.
During the visit, the researchers from Riga Stradiņš University had the opportunity to meet academics and researchers of the University, clinicians in the field of oncology and to be guided around the premises of CUT.
On April 9th, they met with the head of the research laboratory Behavioral Science in Health – BsiH Dr. Angelos Kassianos and the researchers-members of the laboratory Dr. Maria Kyprianidou, Dr. Laura Panagi and Dr. Athina Manoli, discussed research projects such as the co-OPERATOR (Developing a country-observatory for Sharing Best practices for Vaccination Promotion) and Un-Bias (Understanding Attentional Biases related to Illness Anxiety) projects and exchanged thoughts and opinions on research collaborations. Afterwards, they visited the German Oncology Center where they were guided by the Deputy Medical Director Dr. Konstantinos Zamboglou and discussed the oncology care of patients and the emphasis placed on the quality of life of the patients at the center as well as the experiences of the medical systems of Cyprus and Latvia.
On April 10th they met with academics and other members of the Department of Nursing where Ms. Duhovska presented the topic of Art Therapy and its application in oncology care in Latvia, one of the few countries where this profession is regulated by law. Afterwards, they were guided around the premises of the University, and met with the Early Lifestyle laboratory and the Head Dr. Ourania Kolokotroni where they observed the data collection process of the Prepare for Life project. This was followed by a tour of the Clinical Rehabilitation Clinic facilities by the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Department, Dr. Nikos Konstantinou and a meeting and discussion followed with academics and other members of the Department where Dr. Bērziņa presented the training and implementation of the rehabilitation of people with cancer in Latvia. Finally, they attended the seminar "The role of technology in the care of cancer patients" co-organized by the CYENS Center of Excellence and Europa Donna Cyprus and in which, among others, presentation was provided by the academics of the Department of Nursing Dr. Andreas Charalambous and Dr. Angelos Kassianos.
On April 11th, they were hosted at the premises of the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF) in Nicosia where they participated in visits to patients' homes by social workers, discussed with the Psychosocial Support Services headed by Counselling Psychologist Ms. Artemis Komatina and met with the Director of Research and Development Mrs. Maria Krini.
Επίσκεψη Αντιπροσωπείας Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής στο ΤΕΠΑΚ
Between April 9th and 11th, 2024, the Nursing Department of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) hosted two researchers from Riga Stradiņš University in Latvia within the framework of the Erasmus+ program. The aim of the visit was to exchange experiences and establish partnerships in relation to psycho-oncology. The visit was coordinated by Dr. Angelos Kassianos, Lecturer in Health Psychology of the Department of Nursing who hosted Ms. Jana Duhovska, Director of the Art Therapy Program in the Department of Health Psychology and Pedagogy and Dr. Guna Bērziņa Head of the Department of Rehabilitation, Doctor of Physical and Medical Rehabilitation.
During the visit, the researchers from Riga Stradiņš University had the opportunity to meet academics and researchers of the University, clinicians in the field of oncology and to be guided around the premises of CUT.
On April 9th, they met with the head of the research laboratory Behavioral Science in Health – BsiH Dr. Angelos Kassianos and the researchers-members of the laboratory Dr. Maria Kyprianidou, Dr. Laura Panagi and Dr. Athina Manoli, discussed research projects such as the co-OPERATOR (Developing a country-observatory for Sharing Best practices for Vaccination Promotion) and Un-Bias (Understanding Attentional Biases related to Illness Anxiety) projects and exchanged thoughts and opinions on research collaborations. Afterwards, they visited the German Oncology Center where they were guided by the Deputy Medical Director Dr. Konstantinos Zamboglou and discussed the oncology care of patients and the emphasis placed on the quality of life of the patients at the center as well as the experiences of the medical systems of Cyprus and Latvia.
On April 10th they met with academics and other members of the Department of Nursing where Ms. Duhovska presented the topic of Art Therapy and its application in oncology care in Latvia, one of the few countries where this profession is regulated by law. Afterwards, they were guided around the premises of the University, and met with the Early Lifestyle laboratory and the Head Dr. Ourania Kolokotroni where they observed the data collection process of the Prepare for Life project. This was followed by a tour of the Clinical Rehabilitation Clinic facilities by the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Department, Dr. Nikos Konstantinou and a meeting and discussion followed with academics and other members of the Department where Dr. Bērziņa presented the training and implementation of the rehabilitation of people with cancer in Latvia. Finally, they attended the seminar "The role of technology in the care of cancer patients" co-organized by the CYENS Center of Excellence and Europa Donna Cyprus and in which, among others, presentation was provided by the academics of the Department of Nursing Dr. Andreas Charalambous and Dr. Angelos Kassianos.
On April 11th, they were hosted at the premises of the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF) in Nicosia where they participated in visits to patients' homes by social workers, discussed with the Psychosocial Support Services headed by Counselling Psychologist Ms. Artemis Komatina and met with the Director of Research and Development Mrs. Maria Krini.
