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Unit of study_
PSYC4003: Health Psychology
2022 unit information
Comorbid physical and mental health conditions are increasingly prevalent, requiring complex management and specialised interdisciplinary care. Health Psychology, a subdiscipline of psychology, is a rapidly developing field of study which examines the inter-relationships between biological, psychological, and social/cultural factors that affect health, illness, and recovery - recognising that health is far more than the absence of disease. This unit of study will cover the central tenants of Health Psychology: the promotion and maintenance of health; causes and detection of illness; prevention and treatment of illness; and, improvement of healthcare systems and policy. You will develop advanced understanding of: the impact of all phases of illness on patients and their families; how psychological theories and methods are applied to assess patient/caregiver outcomes; importance of health literacy; and how communication between clinicians, patients and family can impact health outcomes. You will also gain industry-recognised skills to apply new evidence in practice to particular health concerns, as well as skills in disseminating research findings in the industry setting. This unit will challenge you to critically evaluate social, cultural, and political aspects of health disparities in Australia, and explore how the needs of the most vulnerable groups in society may be met. At the completion of the unit you will be able to contribute to the development and delivery of evidence-based healthcare programs aimed at addressing current healthcare needs and challenges, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Psychology Academic Operations
| Code | PSYC4003 |
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| Academic unit | Psychology Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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6cp of PSYC3XXX and an additional 6cp of 3000-level units of study |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Students who have not completed PSYC3020 may be required to do additional reading |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Develop an understanding of the key goals of health psychology and the role of health psychologists, with a focus on post/pandemic era.
- LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of: i. key dimensions of health and quality of life and the effect of illness for both patients and families; ii. important time points in the illness trajectory including diagnosis, survivorship, and end-of-life; iii. the management of psychological sequelae arising from specific illness/treatment/hospitalisation; iv. health inequalities and the experiences of vulnerable groups; v. the healthcare system, with a particular focus on cross-cultural, social, and gender inequalities.
- LO3. Explain how medical and risk communication and un/informed decision-making can affect healthcare outcomes.
- LO4. Apply health psychology models and frameworks to healthcare interventions to address psychological impacts of health conditions.
- LO5. Design an evidence-based health intervention that is feasible to implement to achieve best possible health outcomes.
- LO6. Critically assess the effectiveness and applicability of psychosocial interventions for implementation in various health contexts.
- LO7. Communicate key information extracted from theoretical and empirical literature clearly and effectively.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
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There are no availabilities for this year.
Modes of attendance (MoA)
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