1.1. Describe the role of psychology within health and social care.
According to the British Psychological Society, psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour; Psychology investigates people, their reasoning processes, and the reasons behind their actions. Their research is scientific since it involves observation, information gathering, hypothesis testing, fact gathering, and result reporting.
Health, according to WHO, is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not mere absence of disease or infirmity. This definition shows that health does not deal with disease alone but with the mind too.
Role of psychology in health and social care
- Inter-professional care is when a variety of healthcare professionals from varied backgrounds come together to collaborate with patients, families, caregivers, and the community to provide the highest quality of care. The psychologist in this situation is in charge of the team’s physical, psychological, and social aspects of health.
- In primary health care, they offer crucial mental and behavioural health services, as well as behaviour identification and correction, to support an individual’s healthy lifestyle over the course of their lifetime.
- Alzheimer’s illnesses are evaluated by a psychologist cognitively and neurologically to distinguish dementia from typical ageing-related mental disorders, including depression and anxiety.
- Cancer – they provide good psychological support during disease treatment and aid in overcoming adjustment challenges, including depression and anxiety.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2. Describe types of psychologists and the roles of each within health and social care settings
- 2.1. Describe the concepts of nature and nurture in relation to human development and behaviour.
- 2.2. Explain the nature versus nurture debate.
- 3.1. Describe psychological theories.
- 3.2. Explain the impact of psychological theory on health and social care practice.
- 3.3. Compare and contrast approaches to health and social care practice based on psychological theory.
- 4.1. Discuss psychological approaches in the management of an identified mental health condition.
- 4.2. Analyse a psychological approach in relation to an identified mental health condition