Prospectus

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Health and Medical Psychology

Course
2017-2018

Entry requirements

All 60 ec of the first-year in Psychology obtained.

Description

The focus of the lectures is on health promotion (first 3 weeks) and on illness prevention and chronic diseases (last 5 weeks). The lectures introduce theoretical models (concerning health promotion, symptom perception, stress-related symptoms, and coping with, and psychological interventions in, chronic disease) and illustrate them with practical examples. Lecture topics:

Part 1:

  • Explaining health behaviour

  • Changing health behaviour

  • Health promotion in the workplace

Part 2:

  • Symptom perception and illness

  • Mechanisms and diagnosis of stress-related symptoms

  • Psychosocial consequences of, and how to cope with, chronic disease

  • Pain and pain management

  • Psychological interventions in chronic disease

In the work group sessions students are requested to produce a health promotion leaflet or app on a self-chosen topic (part 1) and to screen, diagnose and treat the psychosocial problems of a patient suffering from a chronic disease (part 2).

Course objectives

Students will:

  • Gain knowledge of the principles of health promotion and apply these to various health behaviours;

  • Gain insight into the role of symptom perception and stress in the development of chronic diseases, and the psychosocial consequences of, and interventions in, chronic diseases; and

  • Practice psychological intervention techniques focusing on self-management and quality of life in patients suffering from chronic diseases.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables

Semester 1: Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Semester 2: Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Registration

Course

Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year

Elective

Elective students have to enroll for each course separately. For admission requirements contact your study advisor.

Exchange/Study abroad

For admission requirements, please contact your exchange coordinator

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour lectures
8 2-hour work group sessions

Work group attendance is mandatory. Students are required to complete assignments during and in-between the work group sessions.

Assessment method

The final grade is based on a written exam (60%) and work group assignments (40%). The written exam includes both open (counts for 30% of the written exam grade) and multiple-choice questions (counts for 70% of the written exam grade).

Study material for the exam:

  • Morrison V. & Bennet P. (2012/ 2016). An Introduction to Health Psychology. Pearson / Prentice Hall, Harlow. All chapters have to be studied, with the exception of chapter 2.

  • Slides of the lectures posted on Blackboard.

  • Additional literature posted on Blackboard with the lectures.

Regulations on grade calculations

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Reading list

Lectures:
Morrison V. & Bennet P. (2012/2016). An Introduction to Health Psychology. Pearson / Prentice Hall, Harlow.

Workgroups:
Reader Health and Medical Psychology available on Blackboard.

Contact information

Dr. Véronique de Gucht
degucht@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Dr. Judy Veldhuijzen
d.s.veldhuijzen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl