Psychology: An Introduction for Health Professionals

Book excerpt: Understanding the basics of psychology – what drives human choices and behaviours – underpins good practice in health. Psychology: An Introduction for Health Professionals presents the latest relevant theories and concepts, as well as their application to specific health issues and clinical practice. Written by Deb O’Kane and other leading experts in the field, this book will help you understand more about why people act in certain ways related to their health and wellbeing, from diagnoses, health interventions and outcomes. For example, why does a person not complete a full course of antibiotics, or how can you expect a someone to respond to stress, loss or pain? Scenarios and reflection questions help to bring important psychology concepts to life. The book is written specifically for health science and nursing students undertaking discreet units of study in psychology, but will also be applicable to practitioners in their daily work. Includes relevant theories and concepts in psychology, incorporating latest evidence Focus on application to practice – suitable for both students and health practitioners Covers the lifespan, from birth to ageing Suite of 55 scenarios with reflection questions (additional 55 available on Evolve) bringing theory to life Suitable for students in multiple different health disciplines Updated to reflect priority issues impacting individuals and health practice, such as COVID-19 Content divided into three sections for easy navigation from theories and underpinning knowledge through to application to health issues and discipline specific cases Addition of crisis health, including major disasters and the pandemic