Psychology of Health Problems

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

54 hours

Enrolment in one of the following Psychology professional training programs, 527CL, 527CN, 080CL, 080CN or MC-PSYCHCS

Completion of APAC approved psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level.

None

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements, Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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.

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.

A mid-semester case formulation of 500 words (20% of assessment)

A 1500 word essay due at the end of semester (80% of assessment).

Caltabiano, M., & Sarafino, E.P. (2008). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial interactions. Melbourne: John Wiley & Sons

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Written, oral and communication skills

Analytical, information integration and synthesizing skills