M16 Psychological Aspects of Health Care
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This module aims to cover psychological factors that influence the patient's passage through the health care system. Topics covered in the module are in accordance with requirements (Stage 1) of the BPS’s Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria that are prerequisite for Chartered Health Status. This module addresses the familiarity and understanding of component 10 (Core Curriculum) Health care contexts: communication in health care settings, the impact of screening, the impact of hospitalisation on adults and children, preparation for stressful medical procedures, giving bad news, adherence, communication and patient satisfaction, and placebos.
By the end of this module students are expected to be able to:
- understand psychological theories of relevance to provision of patient care.
- understand why some people do not adhere to treatment recommendations.
- describe and analyse research relating to palliative care.
- understand the importance of non-specific aspects of care.
- describe and criticise theory and research relating to doctor-patient communication, satisfaction and compliance.
- describe and criticise theory and research relating to preparing patients for surgery.
- describe theory and research relating to prenatal testing, pregnancy and childbirth.
- evaluate ethical requirements of research and practice.
Course Convenor
Professor Jane Ogden
Other Contributors
Dr Mark Cropley, Dr Carly Jacobs, Dr Lorraine Nanke, & Dr Tushna Vandrevala
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 and seminars. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 100 hours of study time in completion of the module.
Assessments
One essay (2000 words) (50% of the final mark) and one practical exercise (presentation approx 10 min) (50% of the final mark)
Suggested Reading
Berry, D. (2004) Risk, Communication and Health Psychology. OUP.
Edelmann, R.E. (2000) Psychological Aspects of the Health Care Process. Prentice Hall.
Ley, P. (1997). Communicating with Patients. Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes.
Ogden, J. (2004). Health Psychology: A Textbook. Open University Press.
Pendleton, D. (1983). Doctor-Patient Communication. London: Academic Press.
Salmon, P. (2000). Psychology of Medicine and Surgery. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.