Chronic Illness
20 credits
This module begins by introducing students to the diverse ways in which psychological factors alter biological processes central to health and well-being.
Topics include:
- an overview of key biological systems
- the role of psychological factors in influencing vulnerability to new diseases
- the role of psychological factors in disease progression
- the application of health psychology to chronic illness, associated disabilities and both treatment selection and treatment outcomes
Context and Perspectives in Health Psychology
10 credits
This module seeks to develop an appreciation of:
- historical and current perspectives in health psychology
- the role of the health psychologist and associated professional issues
- current perspectives in European and international health psychology and an awareness of related disciplines, eg behavioural medicine
- the impact of gender, social and cultural factors on health and illness.
Further Medical Statistics
10 credits
This module introduces students to a higher level of statistical methods, building on the content of the Medical Statistics module (EPID4030) and including statistical regression modelling techniques.
For example, students will learn to interpret and apply the techniques of multiple linear regression, logistic regression, rates and survival analysis in a statistical software package
Health Care Contexts
10 credits
This module develops an appreciation of key issues in the interaction between patients and health care contexts. These include:
- communication in health care settings
- the impact of hospitalisation on adults / children
- preparation for stressful medical/ dental procedures
- giving bad news
- adherence to medical treatment
Medical Statistics
10 credits
Learn the basic concepts of medical statistics and develop the knowledge and skills to analyse univariate data. Explore the basic principles and application of medical statistics in epidemiology.
Professional Skills in Health Psychology
20 credits
The module covers:
- key professional skills within health psychology such as communicating with different health professionals and populations and presenting key research findings.
- career development and planning, including CV development and interview skills.
Qualitative Methodology and Analysis
10 credits
This module introduces the language and concepts in this field, and how these converge with and diverge from quantitative approaches. Contemporary debates and developments in qualitative research will be examined, drawing on examples of research pertinent to public health.
The module will introduce the spectrum of methods and analytical approaches, and provide opportunities to learn and read about, and to undertake practical exercises relating to commonly used and emergent qualitative methods relevant to public health.
The module will include information on, and practical exercises in appraisal of written qualitative research. Structured participatory activities will be used to enable students to apply the concepts and knowledge areas covered.
Research Methods for Applied Health
10 credits
Gain the skills to develop and deliver a research proposal from beginning to end, including:
- refining a research topic/idea into a manageable research project
- writing and refining a research question, aims and objectives
- sources of data, including new technologies and searching
- study design for feasibility and practicality
- qualitative data collection (interviews, focus groups, other data sources)
- quantitative data collection (eg survey design)
- qualitative data analysis
- ethics and research governance (GCP online task)
- basic theory around mixed methods
- introduction to patient and public involvement (PPI)
- dissemination/writing/presenting research
- introduction to project management including financing
- CASP for critical appraisal
Understanding, Predicting and Changing Health Behaviour
20 credits
Explore the cognitions and cognitive determinants of health-related behaviours in detail, through the study of a range of key models. You will also develop an understanding of changes in these behaviours and the intention-behaviour gap.
Other topics include:
- the role of information in health-related motivation and action
- how social influence techniques can maximize the impact of health promotion
- how the manner in which messages are processed determines their impact on attitude change
- the role of self-efficacy in motivation, health behaviour and health
- elicitation research, intervention design and evaluation
- behaviour change techniques and their relationship to psychological theories
Independent Research Project
60 credits
The project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to engage in, and learn from, supervised project work in health psychology.
Previous published projects have included: