Leader: Professor Paul Martin

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit covers the application of clinical psychology training to health and medical settings. The field of health psychology will be introduced together with theoretical frameworks linking psychological and physical aspects of health and illness. The focus will be on psychological issues associated with various medical conditions at all life stages (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age, and on the application of appropriate assessment skills for various health/medical contexts.

Objectives

On completion of the unit students will be familiar with the field of health psychology and have knowledge of the theoretical frameworks relevant to this field. They will have a better understanding of the psychological processes associated with various medical conditions and the way developmental stages affect responses to illness.
Students will be expected to:

1. have awareness of health psychology related theoretical frameworks;
2. be familiar with common medical conditions associated with particular life stages and the psychological issues that may impact on recovery;
3. show awareness of and, be sensitive and responsive to cultural/ethnic differences in response to illness;
4. become familiar with specialised assessments, such as crisis assessment, and assessments in a consultation-liaison context.

Assessment

Log book documenting observation/practical work (hurdle requirement); written report (3000 words) of a comprehensive psychological assessment (including cognitive and projective testing) of a patient with a medical condition (80%); oral case presentation (20%).