MED1041 and MED1042

Health, illness and human behaviour I and II

Dr K V Jones (Psychological Medicine) and Dr C Hassed (Community Medicine and General Practice)

Objectives This subject provides students with an introduction to the behavioural science elements underlying the practice of medicine in Australia. On the completion of the subject, students will have been introduced to the individual, in health and illness, as a complete and developing human being in a social context; and to the historical, cultural, scientific and ethical context of medical practice. Students will be able to obtain and record information from an individual subject and about that subject and their family, and about communications in medical settings, by use of appropriate level behavioural observation and interviewing skills; to obtain information from library, archival and electronic sources; to think critically about psychological, social/cultural and ethical issues; to analyse information obtained by observation in the light of basic science knowledge and theory in order to solve problems and draw appropriate conclusions; to present written and oral reports; and to demonstrate communication, first-aid, and computer skills sufficient to pass appropriate practical assessments. Students are also expected to develop appropriate scientific, ethical and professional attitudes for the practice of good medicine.

Synopsis Subunits of the subject cover human growth and development over the life-span; basic psychological processes including their biological bases; social, cultural and familial factors in the understanding of health and illness and medicine; ethical principles and methods of analysis in relation to medicine; introductory biostatistics and research methods; medical informatics and the applications of computers to the practice of medicine; clinical and communication skills; and first-aid. Educational methods include the learning of content through lectures, textbooks and project work; and the development of skills and attitudes through tutorials, first-aid training and direct experience with health care providers and consumers in medical settings and with a normal family. Each student will maintain a workbook logging all experiences relevant to skills development during the year.

Assessment Examinations (first semester 3 hours, second semester 2 hours): 50% * Family study essay (3000 words): 15% * Tutor's assessment (participation, workbook, ethics presentation and formal videotaped communication skills assessment): 35% (NB: skills assessments in first-aid and medical informatics must be passed, but do not contribute to the final mark)

Prescribed texts

Jones K V and others (eds) Readings in health, illness and human behaviour Faculty of Medicine, Monash U, 1998
Jones K V Student workbook: Clinical and communication skills Faculty of Medicine, Monash U, 1998

Recommended texts

Berger K The developing person through the life span 3rd edn, Worth, 1994 or
Gething L and others Life span development 2nd Australian edn, McGaw-Hill, 1995 or
Hoffman L and others Developmental psychology today 6th edn, Random House, 1994
Any current and high quality introductory psychology textbook.