HLTHPSYC 745A/B : Practicum in Health Psychology

Medical and Health Sciences

2023 Semester One (1233) / Semester Two (1235) (90 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A practical component of supervised applied work of not less than 1,500 hours in approved health settings, and other work as required. A detailed written report of the work undertaken will be required of the student.

Course Overview

This course, in combination with HLTHPSYC 742 Professional Practice in Health Psychology and the precurser activities in the programme, is designed to ensure that interns that complete the programme are able to achieve the competencies for psychologists practicing in the “psychologist” scope of practice and the standards for cultural competence documented in the ‘Core Competencies For the Practice of Psychology in New Zealand’, as well as the Core Competencies for Health Psychology Practitioners in New Zealand.

This course requires 1500 hours of internship placement and attendance at weekly classes, workshops and training sessions. This is normally completed over 12 months. Teaching sessions for this course are combined with hours for HLTHPSYC 742.

Classes, workshops and training sessions are didactic and experiential as appropriate. Clinical placements will involve service provision as a health psychology practitioner, engaging research and in assessment and intervention with patients and clients, and will be overseen by suitable experienced supervisors.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: HLTHPSYC 746 To complete this course students must enrol in HLTHPSYC 745 A and B

Course Contacts

Dr Lisa Reynolds
+64 9 923 4938
l.reynolds@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the etiology, symptoms and management of medical conditions and health behaviours which have prominent psychological components. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of health psychology models relevant to psychological processes and medical or health behaviours. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 and 3.2)
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and the practice expertise of the major psychotherapy approaches to psychological intervention. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 1.5 and 2.1)
  4. Demonstrate sophisticated methodological approaches in health psychology research including assessment approaches. (Capability 1.4)
  5. Demonstrate the ability to integrate the health psychology scientific literature into psychological interventions and medical management with patients. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 and 3.2)
  6. Effectively review and synthesise the scientific literature relevant to clinical practice in health psychology. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  7. An ability to to draw on the scientific evidence-base to address health-related psychological difficulties. (Capability 1.5, 3.1 and 3.2)
  8. Effectively analyse the critical issues and needs of individuals, groups and communities with health-related psychological difficulties. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 3.2, 4.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  9. Demonstrate the ability to conduct targeted, evidence-based psychological interventions with individuals, groups, and communities. (Capability 1.3, 1.5, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 6.2)
  10. Communicate effectively about psychological aspects of patient functioning and the psychological impact of disease with multi-disciplinary healthcare teams, in order to collaborate on the improvement of patient health and wellbeing. (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Case Studies 10% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 10% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 10% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 10% Individual Coursework
Mid-year clinical log Individual Coursework
Final clinical log 10% Individual Coursework
Final clinical exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Case Studies
Case Studies
Case Studies
Case Studies
Mid-year clinical log
Final clinical log
Final clinical exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a 90 point course. Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Classes for the HLTHPSYC 745  will occur on Fridays during Semester 1 and Semester 2 in 2022. Class times will vary and students are advised to regularly check the schedule. 


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including teaching sessions and group discussions. Teaching sessions may also be available as recordings but recordings are not guaranteed. 

Attendance on campus is required for the exam. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students in 2022 have appreciated the ability to attend class via Zoom or in person, however, attending class on campus is highly recommended for the purposes of clinical teaching and facilitating peer support. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 04/07/2023 11:26 a.m.