The aim of this module is to develop students' awareness/understanding of, and ability to utilise, good practices in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions designed to change important health behaviours. The importance of screening and use of appropriate baseline measures within a sound theoretical framework will be highlighted. The effectiveness of a variety of interventions will be critically examined by reviewing data from primary and secondary prevention settings, with various behaviour change end-points. Examples of relevant topics include: looking at the role of risky behaviours and risk perception; the identification of unhealthy lifestyles; effectiveness of screening; improving doctor-patient communication regarding lifestyle advice.

(1) A Case Study of a Behaviour Change Intervention (maximum 3,000 words excluding References and Appendices). This will be a reflective report of a case study that the students have carried out, and will include all elements of the process: assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation.
Weighted at 50%.
Maps to Learning Outcomes 1-5.

(2) A Reflective Report (maximum 3,000 words excluding References and Appendices). This report will compare and contrast the application of two models in relation to an assessment and formulation students have carried out.
Weighted at 50%.
Maps to Learning Outcomes 1-3.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:

There will be opportunities for formative feedback on one draft of each assessment given by (1) the module leader and (2) the supervisor.

Normally 24 hours interactive workshops, 'drop in sessions' and individual tutorials with Registered Health Psychologists. During those sessions students will be given the opportunity to enhance their understanding of central behaviour change intervention concepts and critically discuss them with experienced health psychologists. Relevant topics of interest could be:
- the importance of experimental design, randomisation and power in the evaluation of behaviour change interventions,
- understanding what is meant by internal and external validity in the context of behaviour change intervention evaluations
- the MRC framework for complex interventions, CONSORT guidelines and intervention mapping approach

426 independent study hours including placement learning and assessment preparation.

Abraham, C., Norman, P., and Conner, M. (Eds). (2000) Understanding and Changing Health Behaviour: From Health Beliefs to Self-Regulation. Psychology Press.

Rollnick, S., Miller, W.R. and Butler, C.C. (2008) Motivational Interviewing in Health Care: Helping Patients Change Behavior (Applications of Motivational Interviewing). New York: Guilford Press.

Westbrook, D., Kennerley, H. and Kirk, J. (2007) An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications. London: Sage.

White, C.A. (2001). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Chronic Medical Problems: A Guide to Assessment and Treatment in Practice. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Break out rooms for individual tutorials and drop in sessions.
CD-ROM and web based databases to review current relevant literature in electronic database format.
Internet access.
Thompson library, Resource rooms
Computer terminals

You must satisfy these admission requirements:
hold an honours degree recognised by the British Psychological Society as offering Graduate Basis for Chartership AND have completed British Psychological Society Stage One training in Health Psychology (e.g. a BPS accredited MSc in Health Psychology) at Merit or equivalent.