96050 Clinical Health Psychology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96043 Introduction to Clinical Practice Skills AND 96044 Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology AND 96045 Adult Clinical Psychology 1 AND 96049 Assessment Across the Lifespan AND 96046c Research Project 1 AND 96047c Clinical Placement 1 AND 96048c Adult Clinical Psychology 2
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject is an introduction to the application of clinical psychology theories and models to disorders involving physical illness and disability. Students develop a biopsychosocial understanding of a range of commonly presenting acute and chronic physical health problems. They are required to apply evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention strategies as appropriate.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 001. | Locate scholarly literature relevant to a given topic |
|---|---|
| 015. | Apply research in a given clinical context |
| 016. | Integrate diagnostic information with formulation in treatment planning |
| 017. | In collaboration with the client, adapt a standardised formulation to an individual case |
| 020. | Develop a formulation from a range of clinical perspectives |
| 024. | Identify comorbidity |
| 025. | Determine differential diagnoses where appropriate |
| 026. | Apply diagnostic systems (e.g. DSM, ICD) in a given clinical context |
| 027. | Identify whether a case lies within the practitioner's professional competence |
| 028. | Identify appropriate referral services for the client's needs |
| 029. | Follow a structured process to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis |
| 030. | Draw on clinical evidence to propose an intervention |
| 031. | Justify the selection of a particular intervention |
| 032. | Design an intervention |
| 034. | In collaboration with client, plan an intervention |
| 035. | Justify the links between diagnosis, formulation and the intervention chosen |
| 070. | Interpret initial client information |
| 071. | On the basis of available information, establish initial assessment requirements |
| 072. | Select appropriate assessment measures and methods for a given case |
| 073. | Provide a rationale for the method(s) of assessment utilised |
| 074. | Ensure that assessment includes memory, intelligence, personality, behavioural functioning and mental state |
| 075. | Conduct appropriate tests, interviews or other assessments |
| 076. | Interpret assessment results |
| 077. | Communicate results of assessment in an appropriate format to relevant individuals |
| 078. | Respond appropriately to any risk arising from assessment |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Engage in reflexive practice to evaluate and integrate emerging evidence into practice, and to promote the growth of personal and professional learning, and the education of others. (01.1)
- Interpret, implement and evaluate psychological assessments and interventions using psychological theories, models and evidence to optimise client or organisational health. (02.1)
- Lead and collaborate, supporting an interdisciplinary approach, to provide ethically and legally accountable client-centred care, with awareness of own capabilities and limitations. (02.2)
- Engage in systematic enquiry, evaluating the evidence and reporting on individual and population psychological health status, using appropriate methodologies. (02.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes
Lifelong learning
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.
Professional capacity
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are client-focused, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.
Global citizenship
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology contribute to society, resolving to undertake those actions and responsibilities that will enhance their role in local, national and global communities.
Cultural competence
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are culturally competent professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives, accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through the adoption of a consultative approach to patient care with indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
Teaching and learning strategies
Preparation for Learning:
Students are required to prepare for learning by completing relevant learning activities before attending face-to-face classes. These activities include completing the required readings, online quizzes, and online videos prior to attending the workshop.
Active Lectures:
During lectures and workshops students will practice various clinical techniques and interventions in pairs or small groups. During these simulations students are encouraged to provide feedback to their peers and to obtain feedback from their peers on their own performance. Lectures will provide theoretical and research based knowledge within a scientist practitioner model and a translational focus will be offered. This will be supplemented with video based examples of clinical work to consolidate teaching material and to allow students to familiarise themselves with clinical practice in Clinical Health Psychology. During lectures and workshops, students commonly undertake group based online research to develop and present clinical assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning responses to weekly case studies.
Case-based Learning:
Case-based learning is a form of problem-based learning and is a key learning strategy in this subject. Authentic and de-identified case examples will be provided to students in class, as well as for assessable tasks, to extend their understanding of clinical health psychology throughout the semester.
Collaborative Learning:
Much of our work as clinical psychologists involves working with multi-disciplinary teams as well as teams made up of multiple psychologists. Therefore it is essential that clinical psychology students develop skills in teamwork. Collaborating with peers during class tasks assists students in building collaboration and leadership skills. In this subject students are required to collaborate regularly on various lecture/workshop activities.
Practice-based Learning:
During lectures and workshops, students are commonly presented with case studies where they are required to research and develop relevant clinical assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning responses to weekly case studies.
Ongoing Feedback:
In-class verbal feedback is an important teaching and learning strategy employed throughout the subject. Students re invited to reflect on the tasks and feedback is provided by teaching staff. Students will also have the opportunity to contact the subject coordinator to receive feedback on assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
While this subject assumes some demonstrated ability in clinical work, it asks students to commence their engagement with Clinical Health Psychology in a way that explores core fundamental concepts and then builds on these to gain specific clinical knowledge. Early topics include defining clinical health psychology as a sub-specialty within clinical psychology, the utility of health belief models for clinical disorders, and issues of adherence both to physical and psychological treatments.
This knowledge is then used as a basis to discuss a range of topics of clinical importance including sleep disorders, eating disorders within physical illness such as obesity and diabetes, chronic pain management and heart disease.
The remaining lectures draw student’s attention to a range of transdiagnostic clinical issues relating to physical and psychological health, such as sexual health and end of life concerns.
This knowledge is underscored by weekly engagement in practical, online, group exercises.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Active Participation (Must Pass assessment component)
| Intent: | The intention of this task is to create a vibrant and engaging learning environment. Trainees will gain greater knowledge and better clinical skills in the field of health psychology by fully participating in lecture presentations and experiential exercises. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 015, 017, 026, 027, 030, 032, 034, 035, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076 and 078 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | Whole session |
| Criteria: | See marking guide on Canvas |
Assessment task 2: Case Formulation
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists are experts in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment of mental health conditions. The intent of this assessment task is to develop these skills. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 015, 016, 020, 024, 025, 026, 028, 029, 030, 031, 035, 070, 076 and 078 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .010, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | 1000 words |
| Criteria: | The case information and marking rubric will be available at 5pm Friday 2nd August (Week 2). Submit via Turnitin. |
Assessment task 3: Clinical Report
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists are often required to synthesise their assessment findings in a written report. The intention of this task is to facilitate the development of high quality report writing skills. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 015, 016, 020, 024, 025, 026, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 035, 070, 071, 076, 077 and 078 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .010, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 55% |
| Length: | 2000 words maximum |
| Criteria: | The assignment material and marking rubric will be made available 5pm Friday 11th October (Week 11), with the assignment due by 11:59pm on Monday 14th October. Submit via Turnitin on Canvas. |
Minimum requirements
Trainees must attend 100% of classes.
Trainees must attain at least 50% overall in order to pass this Subject. Trainees must complete all assessment tasks associated with this Subject.
There is a must-pass assessment in this subject. Please check assessment descriptions for details.
Required texts
Caltabiano M L & Ricciardelli L. (2013). Applied Topics in Health Psychology. John Wiley & Sons. Available as e-book through UTS Library
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Recommended texts
Weiner I, Nezu, A M & Nezu, C M. (2012). Handbook of Psychology, Health Psychology (2nd Edition). John Wiley & Sons. Available as e-book through UTS Library
NOTE: there will be additional readings associated with each topic that will be posted to Canvas