PSY6207 - Health psychology and behavioural medicine - 2019

This unit provides an advanced level introduction to the growing field of health psychology and behavioural medicine. Building on the students' knowledge of psychopathology and psychological therapies, the focus here is the application of health psychology principles and interventions to a variety of clinical health contexts. Students will be provided with an overview of health and illness in Australia and the key theoretical frameworks for conceptualising health behaviour. Psychological issues related to acute illness and injury and chronic illness and disability across the life span will be explored and the related clinical interventions will be highlighted. Students will also receive specialist information regarding psychological issues related to a number of key disorders and diseases. Over the course of the unit, students will be expected to integrate health psychology principles and procedures with their knowledge of clinical psychology and demonstrate competence in providing more holistic formulations of and treatment approaches to clinical issues.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Understand the scope of the related fields of health psychology and behavioural medicine, and their history;
2. Have an awareness of rates of disease and illness in Australia, including Indigenous health;
3. Understand the main models of health behaviour and behaviour change;
4. Understand the goals and methods of health promotion and the prevention of disease;
5. Understand how to develop conceptual models of patient problems, and how to plan and implement interventions based on the model and the relevant empirical literature;
6. Demonstrate competence in providing holistic and integrated formulations of clinical presentations that include a health perspective;
7. Be aware of specific clinical tools and techniques that might be applied in clinical health settings;
8. Understand how to assess and manage, or contribute to the management, of a number of exemplar disorders/problems namely diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and cancer;
9. Feel confident to discuss health related concerns with their clients;
10. Understand the role of a clinical psychologist in clinical health settings and professional issues related to working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Written Report (Formulation and Treatment Plan) (20%)

Written Report (Formulation and Treatment Plan) (30%)

Take Home Exam (50%)

Psychology