| CODE | FME5016 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Sociology and Psychology of Health and Illness | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Family Medicine | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide concepts, theories, and methods in Medical Sociology and Health Psychology which are central to the work of Primary Care physicians. This will involve examining social and psychological approaches to understand (1) the aetiology, nature, and response to symptoms and illness (2) the provision, use and evaluation of health care and (3) the relationship between medicine and society. The psychosocial causes of illness, illness behaviour, and the factors influencing illness behaviour will be discussed. The psychosocial impact of illness and the social role of the medical and health professionals will also be explored. Social standing is an important determinant of health along with gender issues, sexual orientation and culture. The family doctor practices in this social context and needs to understand the range of social issues and services available as well as with the various NGOs / Self Help groups to mitigate their effects. The unit looks at the interrelation of expert and common-sense understandings of health and illness. It introduces social scientific arguments about the way disease is recognized, quantified, and socially managed and considers the social patterning of illness. Additionally, through a psychological point of view, this module aims at achieving an understanding of experiences of health and illness to develop holistic management plans that enable people change debilitating behaviours. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the distinctive approach of sociology and psychology to the analysis of health and illness. - discuss key sociological and psychology interpretations of the relation between medical/health professionals and society/ patient/client. - gain a deeper insight into the experience of health and illness after being introduced to sociological key concepts and their relevance. - outline social, economic, and political factors that shape health, sickness and disease. - develop an understanding of the cultural meanings associated with health and illness and how social and cultural factors influence patient-provider interactions. - demonstrate an understanding of how the experience of illness and disability influences the self and relationships with others. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Sandra Buttigieg (Co-ord.) Charles Pace |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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