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Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings (PSYC90027)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
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This subject aims to foster 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, sub-acute and outpatient medical settings and across the lifespan.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should demonstrate an understanding of:

Knowledge

On completion of this subject, students should demonstrate a critical understanding and mastery of the following theories and models and apply these in their clinical practice:
  • Models of behaviour change, health behaviours and psychological adjustment and the ability to recognise and assess psychological responses to illness, hospitalisation, medical treatments and disability.
  • The psychological theories and models of the aetiology, progression and/or recovery, precursors and sequelae of psychological disorders (including incidence, prevalence and predisposing, risk, protective and maintenance factors) associated with medical/health issues;

Skills


On completion of this subject students should demonstrate skills in:

  • The ability to recognise and assess psychological disorders and risk factors (using a range of assessment methods including psychometric assessments and interviews) in individuals with a variety of chronic illnesses and integrating, interpreting and synthesising clinical health psychological assessment data to inform clinical health case formulation, diagnosis and treatment approaches;
  • The ability to design appropriate evidence-based psychological treatment plans on the basis of an initial clinical health case formulation taking into account issues such as treatment adherence, symptom reduction, client progress, and therapeutic alliance

Application of Knowledge and Skills


On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of a clinical psychologist in medical/health care settings and professional and ethical issues related to working in these settings and within a multidisciplinary team.

Generic skills

Written, oral and communication skills

Analytical, information integration and synthesizing skills

Last updated: 3 November 2022