Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Discuss the concepts, major causes, and measurement of health status, morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Critically evaluate existing measures of these constructs
• Critically discuss the impact of personality, social support, and social and cultural contexts on health and disease; evaluate measurements of these constructs; and outline the potential pathways through which such factors can influence health-related outcomes.
• Describe the scope, context, and epistemological underpinnings of health psychology
• Compare and contrast major models of health behaviour, taking into account relevant evidence.
• Discuss major developmental transitions in later life.
• Define key terms including health, illness, disease, health behaviour
• List the main organ systems of the human body and outline major elements and functions of selected systems

Indicative topics covered include:

• Scope of Health Psychology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Basic Epidemiology: Global Morbidity and Mortality
• Health Cognitions and Health Behaviour
• Behaviour Change Theories
• Quality of Life
• Sexual Health
• Personality and Health
• Social Support and Health
• Psychosocial Aspects of Later Life
• Social and Cultural Contexts

There are 12 lectures in this module, delivered by the module co-ordinator and a selection of invited lecturers with special expertise in a particular topic. This module is delivered using a flipped approach. Lectures will emphasize active learning and you are expected to participate, for example in class discussions, debates, and other activities. To facilitate such involvement, you will be asked to do some preparatory work in advance of each session. To successfully complete the module, you will need to engage in your own personal study; to get you started we will provide a reading list for each topic.

Opportunities for formative assessment and feedback are built into the module in the form of in-class teaching and learning activities and blended learning resources. These include, for example: small group work and presentations; small-group and whole class discussions; observed exercises; spontaneous and/or planned questions and answers; individual activity sheets, online learning guides and recorded educational materials. Staff provide verbal feedback during these activities to help you gauge and develop your knowledge and understanding. Test-yourself multiple choice questions (with automated feedback/answers) are available on Blackboard so that you can evaluate your own knowledge and understanding.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.