In this module students will develop skills in applying health psychology in the context of a placement. Students will attend content workshops covering topics such as working with different client and professional groups, behaviour change techniques, health promotion and health behaviours. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours of placement learning and undertake scheduled supervision to reflect on the placement experience. Students will be required to produce and deliver a reflective poster presentation of their experiences.

1. Completion of 50 hours of relevant work experience for a company or organisation (0%, minimum 50 hours).
Students will be required to log a minimum of 50 hours (over two semesters) engaged in relevant paid, unpaid or voluntary placement activities. This must be evidenced by submission of a log of activity signed by the workplace supervisor and the Assessment of Student Performance form. Students will be required to secure their own placement with support from the module team, including access to organisations that the department has existing relationships with. All placements must be approved to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place and adhered to (e.g., health and safety, requirement for DBS checks). Examples of placements include research assistants; community workers; council positions (e.g., planning); health promotion, voluntary organisations (e.g., food banks, charities, hospices); HR (e.g., health and safety and wellbeing); and local health/sports organisations. This does not contribute to the overall module mark but must be completed to successfully pass the module (Learning Outcome 1).

2. Reflective Poster Presentation (100%, 10 minutes + 5 minutes for questions)
Students will be required to design and verbally present a poster reflecting on the contribution their placement has made their development as a stage 1 trainee and their ability to apply health psychology in practice. The content should be underpinned by appropriate health psychology research evidence and theory. The poster presentation should be reflective and outline and justify the decisions made in relation to its content (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3).

Formative feedback will be provided on a plan of the poster during an assessment related taught session and students will have the opportunity to discuss their reflections on placement learning during tutorials with a member of staff.

Students will be required to achieve a pass (50%) in the assessment element.

The module begins with a series of content-based interactive workshops focussing on different aspects of applied health psychology. Students will complete a minimum of 50 hours of placement learning and will be required to attend supervision tutorials in which they can reflect on their experience. Interactive workshops will also be scheduled following completion of placement learning to facilitate the sharing of student experiences.

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply health psychology theories, models, and approaches in a critically analytical manner in a relevant placement setting.
Knowledge & Understanding, Application, Analysis.

2. Demonstrate a critical understanding and awareness of reflective practice and its application to health psychology.
Reflection, Application.

3. Demonstrate a reflective awareness of the qualities and skills required to apply health psychology in practice and evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in this context.
Reflection, Learning.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. Web-based databases to review current relevant literature in electronic database format. Internet access. Library. Resource rooms and supervision space. Identification of suitable placements.
Provision for completion of DBS checks where relevant.

Ogden, J. (2019). Health Psychology. London: McGraw-Hill

Marks, D., Murray, M., & Estacio, E. (2015). Health Psychology, theory, research and practice. 4th edition. London: Sage.

Midwinter, D. and Whatmore, T. (2011). Positive Placements: Making the Most of Your Educational Placement. Continuum International Publishing Group: London.

Moon, J.A. (2004). Reflection in Learning and Professional Development: Theory and Practice. Routledge Falmer: Oxford.

Students must gain a satisfactory DBS check, where required.

In this module students will develop skills in applying health psychology in the context of a placement by undertaking a minimum of 50 hours paid, unpaid or voluntary work experience in a relevant setting. Students will attend content workshops covering topics such as working with different client and professional groups, behaviour change techniques, health promotion and health behaviours and engage in scheduled supervision to reflect on the placement experience.