This module will introduce students to the psychology of the patient journey. Health psychology theory and research relating to physical health conditions will be discussed covering several key moments within the patient journey: symptom experience; symptom perception; help seeking and consultation; diagnosis; patient-practitioner communication; treatment; medical procedures; self-management and coping; and end of life. Psychological factors influencing these moments in addition to psychological impacts of physical illness will be explored for a range of conditions. Students will use the knowledge of the patient journey to critique and propose approaches to support patients. Individuals with lived experience will be incorporated within teaching to enhance learning, where relevant.

Case Report (100%, 3000 words)
Students will be asked to identify a specific acute or long-term physical health condition. Students will describe the condition, its prevalence, and psychological impacts. Students will pick two elements of the patient journey discussed as part of the module and will use health psychology theory and research to explain the issues and behaviours that might arise for this patient group (e.g., symptom perception, help seeking, coping strategies and adherence to treatment). Once issues have been identified students will critique the literature to propose a health psychology intervention for one of the issues identified and justify why this would be effective (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4).

Formative feedback will be given in an assessment support session. Students will be able to send a 2-page outline plan of their assessment to the tutor for individualised feedback.

Learning will take the form of 10 x 3-hour, interactive, workshops in addition to self-guided revision materials and independent learning activities. Independent learning activities will include completing set pre-session reading, preparatory activities and reflective tasks and engaging with recommended reading lists.

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of issues (e.g., symptom perception, help seeking, coping strategies and adherence to treatment) that can occur at each stage of a patient journey and critically apply health psychology theory and research to explain these issues.
Enquiry, Application.

2. Illustrate a comprehensive understanding of the link between physical symptoms and psychological outcomes for individuals with physical health conditions.
Knowledge and understanding.

3. Critically and comprehensively appraise health psychology theory and its effectiveness for explaining behaviours related to acute and long-term conditions.
Problem Solving, Analysis.

4. Critically evaluate evidence to propose effective health psychology interventions to support patients to navigate their patient journey.
Application.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. Web-based databases to review current relevant literature in electronic database format. Internet access. Library. Resource rooms and supervision space. Guest speakers, including those with lived experience.

Essential:
Ogden, J. (2019) Health Psychology, 6e. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill UK Higher Ed.

Recommended:
Ayers & De Visser (2021), Psychology for medicine and healthcare. Sage.

Llewellyn, C. (2019) Cambridge handbook of psychology, health and medicine. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Students must be registered on the MSc Health Psychology.

In this module you will explore the psychology of physical health conditions. This will involve examination of key moments in the patient journey for a range of conditions. You will be introduced to psychological theory relating to experiences such as help seeking, diagnosis and self-management and develop a critical understanding of Health Psychology interventions for supporting patients.