A Course on Cognitive and Behavioural Interventions for Sleep Disorders within a Master Degree Programme in Clinical and Health Psychology

The First Triennium Experience

Abstract

Given the prevalence of sleep disorders, the efficacy and effectiveness of behavioural and cognitive interventions, mainly CBT for insomnia, we consider that a course on the topic should be introduced within the psychology master degree programmes. Since 2017/18 we are offering the optional course: Psychological Interventions on Sleep Disorders. The present work summarizes the course syllabus and analyses the students’ perceptions regarding the first three editions. One hundred and twenty psychology master degree students have voluntarily registered at the course. End-of-semester online institutional anonymous questionnaires were voluntarily completed. Participants were asked to rate the course in a variety of parameters using a 5-point scale (1 = minimum; 5 = maximum). Ninety questionnaires were completed. Mean scores on each item (addressing: bibliography/other learning materials; quality of learnings; learning results; non-redundancy concerning other courses; theoretical-practical articulation; students’ active participation in the learning processes; development of analytical and critical reflection/thinking skills; overall self-assessment) ranged between 4.23 and 4.46, items’ mean score = 4.35. Students’ perceptions on the first three semesters of the course were clearly encouraging. By offering a course on behavioural interventions for sleep disorders at master degree level, we hope to contribute to increase its delivery in health contexts in the near future.