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Psychology of Health Problems (PSYC90027)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
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Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject aims to foster a sense of professional competence in health settings through the exploration of relevant assessment issues and advanced treatment approaches and complex clinical practice issues. The subject is concerned with the examination of aspects of clinical health psychology practice and theory with an emphasis on students developing a critical approach to various clinical, professional practice and evaluation issues within the context of medical referrals and health and illness. In addition, the subject will also focus on the management of psychological problems associated with specific medical conditions seen in acute and sub-acute health settings.
Intended learning outcomes
Students will have an opportunity to develop expertise in the following areas:
- Recognition, understanding and assessment of psychological responses to illness, hospitalisation, medical treatment and disability;
- Understanding of psychological factors contributing to illness;
- Planning psychological management/treatment of psychological issues found in medical patients (taking into account common issues such as patient adherence to treatment);
- Understanding of common presenting difficulties in medical and acute health settings such as pain, depression, anxiety, medical phobias, fatigue, post traumatic stress, fear of death and dying;
- Gain knowledge of psychological interventions relevant to major medical disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, eating disorders, and neurological conditions;
- Gain an understanding of the nature of the hospital and health care settings; and
- Preparation of patients for surgery.
Generic skills
Written, oral and communication skills
Analytical, information integration and synthesizing skills
Last updated: 3 November 2022