Edward Callus - To make an appointment - GSD - a group of clinics in Italy

Biography

Prof. Edward Callus is the Head of the Clinical Psychology Service at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato and an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Milan, in the Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, a position he officially assumed in November 2024.

He graduated in Psychology in Malta and Italy, completing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Bergamo. He specialized in Psychotherapy at the Gestalt Therapy Study Center (CSTG) in 2012 and, in 2017, earned the title of Associate Trainer in Psychotherapy at the Italian Federation of Gestalt Schools and Institutes.

At IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, he coordinates psychological activities in hospital wards, focusing on psychosocial aspects in the care of patients with congenital and acquired heart diseases during various stages of hospitalization. He leads the counseling service for staff (W@W help desk), manages psychological training for employees and consultants, and promotes the integration of psychologists into multidisciplinary teams while also supporting patients’ families. Additionally, he oversees outpatient psychological services for non-hospitalized patients.

With a portfolio of 88 indexed publications, an H-index of 20, and 1,269 citations (Scopus, 2024), Prof. Callus has published significant research in prestigious journals such as the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, and the European Heart Journal.

He participates in multicenter projects, including the international APPROACH-IS I and II studies, considered benchmarks for analyzing psychological functioning, quality of life, and health perception in adult patients with congenital heart disease.

He is a founding member of the Italian Alström Syndrome Association (ASSAI), a board member of Beating Hearts Malta (BHM), and served on the board of the European Congenital Heart Disease Organisation (ECHDO) for nine years, including two as President, currently chairing its scientific committee. He is also a member of the scientific committee of the Italian Association of Adult Congenital Heart Patients (AICCA). For his dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was awarded the Paul Harris recognition by Rotary.

Education

University of Malta
Bachelor's degree in Psychology - 2001

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan
Bachelor's degree in Psychology - 2005

University of Bergamo
Candidate in Clinical Psychology - 2009

Gestalt Therapy Research Center (CTSG)
Diploma in the specialty "psychotherapy" - 2012

Publications

Latest publications

Update on psychological functioning in adults with congenital heart disease: a systematic review

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 11, 785-791.

Callus, E., Quadri, E., Ricci, C., Passerini, C., Tovo, A., Pelissero, G., and Chessa, M. (2013).

Life experiences and coping strategies in adults with congenital heart disease

Pediatr Med Chir (2013) 35, 231-240.

Callus, E., Quadri, E., Compare, A., Tovo, A., Giamberti, A., and Chessa, M.

Social support, depression, and heart disease: a ten year literature review

Front Psychol (2013) 4, 384.

Compare, A., Zarbo, C., Manzoni, G.M., Castelnuovo, G., Baldassari, E., Bonardi, A., Callus, E., and Romagnoni, C.

Blood pressure control and treatment adherence in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome: protocol of a randomized controlled study based on home blood pressure telemonitoring vs. conventional management and assessment of psychological determinants of adherence (TELEBPMET Study).

Trials (2013) 14, 22.

Parati, G., Omboni, S., Compare, A., Grossi, E., Callus, E., Venco, A., Destro, M., Villa, G., Palatini, P., Rosei, E.A., Scalvini, S., Taddei, S., Manfellotto, D., Favale, S., De Matteis, C., Guglielmi, M., Lonati, L., Della Rosa, F., Tosazzi, E., Grandi, A.M., Maresca, A.M., Mongiardi, C., Mare, M., Ricci, A.R., Cagnoni, F., Georgatos, J., Besostri, V., Ferrari, V., Omodeo, O., Dorigatti, F., Bo

Post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional processing and inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks: clinical consideration by a single case report

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis (2012) 78, 160-166.

Compare, A., Del Forno, D., Callus, E., Giallauria, F., Vitelli, A., Buccelli, C., and Vigorito, C.

Timing of pulmonary valve replacement after tetralogy of Fallot repair

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther (2012) 10, 917-923.

Piazza, L., Chessa, M., Giamberti, A., Bussadori, C.M., Butera, G., Negura, D.G., Micheletti, A., Callus, E., and Carminati, M.

Mindfulness trait, eating behaviours and body uneasiness: a case-control study of binge eating disorder

Eat Weight Disord (2012) 17, e244-251.

Compare, A., Callus, E., and Grossi, E.

[Psychosocial difficulties and hospitalisation experiences in adults with congenital heart disease. The utility of psychological interventions].

Pediatr Med Chir (2010) 32, 305-308.

Callus, E., Quadri, E., and Chessa, M.

Elements of psychocardiology in the psychosocial handling of adults with congenital heart disease

Front Psychol 1, (2010) 34.

Callus, E., Quadri, E., and Chessa, M.

[The necessity for psychological support during critical moments in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery].

Pediatr Med Chir (2010) 32, 229.

Callus, E., and Quadri, E.