M12 Chronic Conditions
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the causes, risk factors, and consequences of chronic medical conditions. To this end, the role of psychological factors in understanding the emotional, behavioural, clinical, and social consequences of chronic medical conditions are considered. The module aims to facilitate students’ critical understanding of the research evidence-base and the role of psychologists and psychological interventions in managing chronic conditions.
By the end of this modules students are expected to be able to:
- describe the causes and risk factors of chronic conditions
- describe the emotional, behavioural, clinical, and social consequences of chronic conditions
- critically evaluate the role of psychological factors and theories in explaining variation in the impact of chronic conditions
- critically evaluate psychological, and other, interventions aimed at managing and ameliorating chronic conditions.
- understand the challenges of communicating effectively about chronic conditions
- design effective written communication aimed at patients with chronic conditions.
Course Convenor
Dr Victoria Senior
Other Contributors
Contact Hours
20
Required Prerequisite Study
First degree in Psychology
Completion Requirement
Completion of the module (and the acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 20 contact hours in the form of lectures. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 100 hours of study time in completion of the module.
Assessments
One practical exercise (1000 words) designing a patient information leaflet (50% of the final mark) and one essay (2000 words) critically evaluating the literature (50% of the final mark).
Suggested Reading
Cameron, L. D., & Leventhal, H. (Eds.) (2003). The self-regulation of health and illness behaviour. London and New York: Routledge.
Llewelyn, S. and Kennedy, P. (2003). Handbook of Clinical Health Psychology, John Wiley & Sons.
Taylor, S.E. (1983) Adjustment to threatening events: a theory of cognitive adaptation, American Psychologist, 38, 1161-1173.
Petrie, K.J. & Weinman, J.A.(eds.) Perceptions of Health and Illness: Current Research and Applications. Harwood Academic Publishers.
Core Texts:
Ogden, J. (2007). Health Psychology: A Textbook. (4th ed) Buckingham: Open University Press.