About Department

Department of Health Psychology

Faculty of Health Sciences · Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz · Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

About us

The Department of Health Psychology brings together expertise in psychology, medicine, law and pharmacy. Established in September 2026 through the reorganisation of the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, it combines research and teaching with practical experience in healthcare. Our team includes practising psychologists and psychotherapists providing care at Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz.

Our mission is to equip future healthcare professionals with psychological knowledge and practical skills relevant to health, illness and patient care.

Research

Our main research areas include:

• Health behaviours and lifestyle.
• Stress, coping and psychological resilience.
• Psychological aspects of chronic illness.
• Psychological dimensions of patient care.
• Well-being and the challenges of working in healthcare.

The team’s expertise also encompasses neuropsychology, clinical psychopharmacology and the methodology and quality of clinical research.

Teaching

We teach students across a range of health professions, including nursing, midwifery, emergency medical care, public health, dietetics, medical laboratory science and radiography. Our teaching connects psychological theory with the practical challenges of caring for patients and working in healthcare.

Our team

Prof. Ewa Sygit-Kowalkowska — Associate Professor, Head of Department

A psychologist and law graduate researching psychological and physical well-being, stress, trauma exposure and occupational burnout, including among healthcare and uniformed services personnel.

Dr Małgorzata Piskunowicz
A researcher and cognitive behavioural psychotherapist interested in cognitive functioning across medical conditions, affective temperament and sport psychology.

Dr Alicja Popiołek
A specialist in diabetology and internal medicine, focusing on diabetes technologies, continuous glucose monitoring, hybrid insulin pumps and pharmacological treatment of obesity.

Małgorzata Roszkowska, MA
A psychologist training in existential psychotherapy. Her research explores well-being, life satisfaction, coping with stress and quality of life in people with cancer.

Monika Wróblewska, MA
A child psychologist with postgraduate training in cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents. Her research explores links between family factors and anxiety and depressive symptoms in young psychiatric inpatients.

Dr Marta Tomaszewska
A psychologist whose interests include cognitive functioning, its genetic determinants, mental disorders and neuropsychological assessment.

Dr Agata Żaroń
A psychologist and philosopher focusing on social psychology and psychological resilience. She also teaches medical psychology.

Dr Damian Świeczkowski
A pharmacist and researcher focusing on clinical trial methodology, quality and participant safety, informed consent, health literacy and clinical psychopharmacology, including psychedelic and ketamine research.

Iwona Miklasz — Department Administrator
Provides administrative support for the department and assists with student matters.

Contact

Department of Health Psychology
Teaching Building, second floor, Department Office: Room 20B
ul. Świętojańska 20
85-077 Bydgoszcz, Poland

Telephone: +48 52 585 37 03
Email: kpsychzdr@cm.umk.pl
Department Administrator: iwona.miklasz@cm.umk.pl

Credit and Grade Transfer

Students may apply to have a previously completed course recognised towards a course taught by the Department of Health Psychology. The following rules apply:

1. Departmental endorsement
   Transfer requires a favourable opinion from the Head of Department.
2. Application submission
   Submit your application to the Department Office at ul. Świętojańska 20, second floor, Room 20B.
3. Required documents
   Attach a copy of your academic record confirming completion of the course and the result obtained, such as a transcript, student record book entry or USOS printout, together with the course syllabus.
4. Teaching hours
   The hours completed must be at least equal to those required by your current study programme. This requirement applies separately to each type of class, such as lectures and practical classes.
5. Assessment requirements
   Applications will not be considered if the previous course was completed with a pass or graded pass, while the corresponding course in your current programme requires an examination.

Enquiries: kpsychzdr@cm.umk.pl | +48 52 585 37 03