Psychological Approaches to Health (Taught)

This course combines the application of psychological theory with current research to improve health and healthcare delivery. Psychological Approaches to Health (MSc) is ideal for those students inspired by psychology and wanting to pursue a career in psychology, health promotion, research or healthcare.

Areas you’ll explore more in-depth include:

• Obesity

• Medical error

• Behaviour change and psychological wellbeing

• Impact of new health interventions

• The effects of multidisciplinary teamwork in healthcare

• Concerns of healthcare delivery such as patient safety, government policy and economics

The course draws on theories derived primarily from health and social psychology but also cognitive, biological and clinical psychology. The topics delivered will develop your understanding and knowledge of how to promote healthy behaviours and reduce unhealthy behaviours, issues around patient safety such as the causes and consequences of medical error as well as obesity, weight loss, malnutrition and anorexia of ageing.

You will also develop a range of statistical, methodological and practical skills around systematic reviewing of evidence from primary studies and conducting health-related studies/experiments, as well as transferable skills including critical thinking, team working and communication. The course will be delivered through interactive seminars, practicals, tutorials, lectures and group/problem-based learning approaches.

On this course, you'll be taught and supervised by subject experts at the forefront of current research; actively publishing in their areas of expertise.

This gives you the opportunity to learn from those currently working with the NHS, industry, and charities to improve educational, developmental, clinical, and health outcomes.

Taught modules: Advanced research methods; systematic research review; introduction to psychological approaches to health; understanding, predicting and changing health behaviours; theory and interventions in health psychology; health psychology at Leeds; psychology of patient safety; food and health. Research modules: Research project.

Innovative forms of assessment such as online group work, short reports, individual and group presentations and case studies sit alongside exams and essays to extend the repertoire of students' skills.