PSY543 Clinical Health Psychology (8)

This subject provides an advanced understanding of the application of clinical psychological principles and techniques to the promotion and maintenance of health and to the prevention and treatment of illness. Clinical health psychology requires an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social characteristics of people with chronic and acute illness, the nature of their symptoms, the medical interventions they receive, and the appropriate psychological interventions to help manage their conditions and enhance quality of life. Students will examine the role of diet, exercise and sleep in a healthy lifestyle, and review the psychological aspects of a range of chronic conditions.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSY543. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Psychology

Enrolment Restrictions

Available to students in the Masters programs in psychology.

Prerequisites

PSY536 and PSY564

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to describe and discuss the theoretical and empirical foundations of health psychology;
  • be able to recognise and assess the role of psychological, social, and biological factors in physical conditions;
  • be able to identify factors that influence individual differences in response to physical conditions;
  • be able to implement effective psychological interventions across physical conditions and health care settings; and
  • be able to assess the nature and challenges of clinical health psychology in practice, and develop effective ways to deal with them.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Integrating medicine and psychology
  • Issues in clinical health psychology: Health behaviour models; adherence to treatment regimes; doctor/patient relationships; health and wellbeing in residential care; palliative care
  • Pain
  • Acute conditions (e.g., spinal cord injury)
  • Chronic illness (e.g., bronchial asthma; diabetes; rheumatoid arthritis)

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of PSY543 in Session 1 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Resource module 1
50
2
Resource module 2
50

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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