Scope of health psychology, Exams of Health psychology

Download Scope of health psychology and more Exams Health psychology in PDF only on Docsity! SCOPE OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY 1. Physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners Usually work closely with medical doctors, performing routine tasks such as examining patients with symptoms that do not appear serious and explaining treatment details. 2. Dietitians Dietitians study and apply knowledge about food and its effect on the body. They do this in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, colleges, and schools. Some dietitians are administrators; other work directly with patients in assessing nutritional needs, implementing and evaluating dietary plans, and instructing patients and their families on ways to adhere to needed diets after discharge from the hospital. Some dietitians work for social service agencies in the community, where they counsel people on nutritional practices to help maintain health and speed recovery when they are ill. 3. Physical Therapists Many patients need help in restoring functional movement to parts of their body and relieving pain. Physical therapists plan and apply treatment. Treatment is designed to increase the strength and function of the injured part and aid in the patient’s adaptation to have reduced physical abilities, which may be quite drastic. The most universal technique used in physical therapy involves exercise, generally requiring little effort initially and becoming more and more challenging. Another technique involves electrical stimulation to move paralyzed muscles or reduce pain. 4. Occupational Therapists Help physically, mentally, and emotionally disabled individuals gain skills needed for daily activities in a work setting, at school, in the community, and at home. These professionals usually specialize in working with a particular age group, such as the elderly, and a type of disability physical.