Course outline. Code: PSY754 Title: Clinical Health Psychology and Psychopharmacology

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1 Course outline Code: PSY754 Title: Clinical Health Psychology and Psychopharmacology Faculty of Arts and Business School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Dr Jonathan Mason Room: T2.03 Phone: (07) JMason3@usc.edu.au 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course provides an overview of the brain s structure and functioning. The course then introduces the evidence base regarding the role of psychological factors in physical health and illness, the biopsychosocial assessment of chronic disease, and evidence-based interventions for prevention and management of serious or chronic illness. Current pharmacotherapy for common psychological disorders is presented. Ethical issues will be addressed as they arise. There is also a focus on neurocognitive disorders within this course. Lastly, somatic symptom and related disorders will be covered. 1.2 Course content Overview of the brain and its functioning. The biopsychosocial model of health, disease and illness Psychosocial interventions for prevention or management of chronic or serious illness Helping people to build, maintain and regain motivation for healthy behavioural change Relapse prevention and management Neuronal structure, function and responses to medications Pharmacological treatment for paediatric and geriatric populations Neurocognitive Disorders Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders 2. Unit value 12 units

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Demonstrate knowledge of and practice in accessing research regarding the role of psychological factors in the aetiology of and reactions to illness and health maintenance Demonstrate knowledge of and practice in the use of relevant assessment procedures Demonstrate knowledge of and practice in accessing and applying appropriate evidencebased interventions Demonstrate knowledge regarding the nature, modes of action, effects and side-effects of drugs, recreational, social and therapeutic, and an understanding of pharmacotherapy, to facilitate effective communication with medical carers. Show awareness of potential ethical issues involved in practising clinical psychology and an understanding of how to use the APS Code of Ethics and its accompanying Guidelines to resolve ethical questions Demonstrate logical reasoning skills and objectivity in clinical decision making 1a, 1b and 2 Knowledgeable. 1b Empowered. Ethical. 1a, 1b and 2 Empowered. Sustainability-focussed. 1a, 1b and 2 Knowledgeable. Empowered. 1a, 1b and 2 Ethical. Empowered. 1a, 1b and 2 Ethical. Knowledgeable. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in Program AR702, AR703, XP601 or UP Pre-requisites Enrolled in Program AR702, AR703, XP601 or UP601

3 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil Page Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills Ability to write in APA format 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Limited Pass (PU), Fail (UF) 5.2 Assessment tasks Task No. Assessment Tasks Individual or Group 1a Knowledge Quiz 1 1b Knowledge Quiz 2 2 Seminar Presentation Individual Individual Group Weighting % Ungraded Pass/Fail Ungraded Pass/Fail Ungraded Pass/Fail What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? 30 minutes Week 5 In class 60 minutes Week 13 In class 60 minutes Weeks 9 and 10 In class Assessment Tasks 1a and 1b: Knowledge quizzes 1 and 2 Goal: These are important review quizzes to ensure you keep up with the theory, knowledge and content in the course. Product: In class quiz Format: The two short answer and multiple choice knowledge quizzes are aimed at assessing knowledge of issues relevant to health psychology and psychopharmacology including assessment and treatment issues. The brain s neurological structure and functioning will also be covered. The quizzes will be based on material covered during lectures and from the prescribed textbooks. Quizzes will occur in weeks 5 and 13 and will be based on material covered in lectures and from the prescribed textbooks during weeks 1 to 4 (Quiz 1) and weeks 5 to 12 (Quiz 2). Quiz 1 (Assessment Task 1a) will be for 30 minutes. Quiz 2 (Assessment Task 1b) will be for 60 minutes Criteria Accuracy of responses Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Graduate Problem solving Graduate Assessment Task 2: Group Seminar Presentation Goal: Product: You will demonstrate understanding of, and communicate about, a neurocognitive disorder (e.g., Delirium or neurocognitive disorder associated with Alzheimer s disease, Vascular disease, traumatic brain injury, etc.). In pairs, PowerPoint seminar presentation on a neurocognitive disorder.

4 Page 4 Format: The aims of the presentation is to provide an opportunity to work closely with a colleague to explore, present and discuss a neurocognitive disorder. Prepare and present a 40 minute presentation on a neurocognitive disorder (provided and allocated in week 5). Relevant evidence based research should be used as the foundation of your presentation. The seminar presentations will occur in weeks 9 and 10. Criteria Ability to use evidence based research as the foundation of your presentation Ability to effectively evaluate research related to the topic area The use of current resources Ability to present the information in a succinct, professional and engaging manner Demonstration of your knowledge of the topic area: Relevant diagnostic criteria (i.e., DSM-5). and differential diagnosis if applicable Particular attention to differential diagnosis from other neurocognitive disorders and other mental health diagnoses. Prevalence of the disorder Primary theoretical model(s) & aetiology Relevant, primary assessment measures Treatment approaches as indicated by research evidence base. Ability to comment on areas of debate within the topic area Consideration of the ethical issues relevant to the topic area Use of appropriate PowerPoint and multimedia resources to aid your presentation Ability to generate discussions within the class and ability to respond to questions Ability to adhere to 40 minute time allocation (including questions) General presentation skills: degree of familiarity with the material and level of preparation. Coherence and clarity with which the content is presented Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Collaboration Graduate Communication Graduate 5.3 Additional assessment requirements If your assignment exceeds the specified word length by more than 10% then a penalty of 10% of available marks will automatically be applied. No penalty is applied for under length assignments. The specified length included all words except; 1. Coversheet details 2. Abstract (if required) 3. Final reference list 4. Any text in tables or figures 5. Headers, footers and subheadings SafeAssign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.

5 Page 5 Limited Graded Course: This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause and of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of the University of the Sunshine Coast. In a course using Limited Grades, all assessment tasks relating to a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activity or a professional competency (PC) task are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades. 5.4 Submission penalties You must contact your Course Coordinator if you require an extension or alternate assessment. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus : 3 hours per week 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Overview of the course and introduction to health psychology. Cortical Organisation and the Brain s Neurological Functioning (1) Overview of psychopharmacology and introduction to drug action and psychoneurophysiology 2 Cortical Organisation and the Brain s Neurological Functioning (2) 3 Overview of psychopharmacology and introduction to drug action and psychoneurophysiology. Introduction to psychotropic medication Psychotropic medications (anti-depressants, mood stabilisers, benzodiazepines). 4 Chronic disease prevention and management Theoretical models of health psychology 5 Chronic disease prevention and management. (Obesity and weight management; Diabetes) Quiz 1

6 Page 6 6 Chronic disease prevention and management: Smoking and tobacco cessation; respiratory conditions. Chronic disease medications (cardiovascular and respiratory disease and diabetes) 7 Chronic disease prevention and management: Asthma and COPD 8 Chronic disease prevention and management. Herbal / Alternative medications 9 Neurocognitive Disorders (1) & Student (e.g., Delirium Presentations Mid Semester Break 10 Neurocognitive Disorders (2) & Student Monday, Presentations 5 th October Labour Day Public Holiday 11 Chronic disease prevention and management. Oncology 12 Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders (1) - Somatic Symptom Disorder / Chronic pain management Analgesic medication 13 Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders (2) - Illness Anxiety Disorder (i.e., Health Anxiety). Quiz 2 Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Boyer, B.A. & Paharia, M.I Comprehensive Handbook of Clinical Health Psychology Wiley 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course.

7 Page Specific requirements N/A 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability Faculty specific information Locating Journal Articles If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed. Assignment Cover Sheets The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School.

8 Page 8 General enquiries and student support Faculty Student Centre Tel: Fax: FABinfo@usc.edu.au