Psychology for Health and Social Care

Psychology for Health and Social care looks at psychological and social factors associated with physical illness, the impact of illness on individuals, psychological intervention, and how this knowledge can be used in healthcare and social care practice.

The course is divided into three sections:

• Section 1 introduces the psychological theories and evidence relevant to health and social care.
• Section 2 looks at the psychological impact of illness and psychological intervention.
• Section 3 uses case studies, such as child birth and obesity, to explore how psychological theory and intervention can be used in practice.

Who is it for?

This course would benefit postgraduate students interested in the role of psychological factors in health and illness, particularly those who work in health and social care services.

Timetable

Term 1

Oct: Tuesday 3, 10, 17 and 24 October 2023
Nov: Tuesday 7, 14, 21 and 28 November 2023
Dec: Tuesday 5 and 12 December 2023

Benefits

The key takeaway from this course is the ability to apply an understanding of the psychological factors that affect health and illness to health and social care practice.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Evaluate the implications of psychological theory and evidence for practice.
• Critically appraise the impact of stress and coping on health
• Critically appraise how psychological factors influence the perception of physical symptoms.
• Evaluate theories of pain and approaches to pain management.
• Synthesise the evidence on the psychological impact of chronic illness.
• Synthesise evidence on the psychological implications of terminal illness for the terminally ill and their family.

Skills:

• Critically appraise, evaluate and integrate psychological theories and evidence.
• Demonstrate how psychological theory and interventions could be applied to specific health issues or illnesses, such as childbirth or cardiovascular disease.

Values and attitudes:

• Illustrate awareness of the importance of psychological factors in health and illness.
• Promote a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to health and social care.

The assessment for this course is a 3,000-word essay focused on one or more of the seminar topics. The essay titles will be available on Moodle at the start of the course.

Teaching is through weekly online or face-to-face 2-hour seminars using a combination of teaching and discussion.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

Non-EEA students can only apply as part of a programme, not as a stand-alone course.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

• Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare (2nd edition), SAGE