This text aims to be useful and relevant for student nurses from all backgrounds with a range of professional aspirations. It demonstrates the importance of psychology in both the nursing role and in health care in general.

Preface

Part 1 Basic principles

1. The meaning and measurement of health

2. The Principles of Behaviourist Psychology in a Health Care Practice: Understanding and Shaping Behaviour

3. Humanistic Psychology Principles, Person centeredness and Empathy within the nurse and patient relationship Psychodynamic

4. The Principles of Psychodynamic Theory in Practice and Working With Anxious Patients. Social

5. The Application of Cognitive Psychology in Health Care Practice and the Provision of Effective Information-giving

6. Social Psychology and Inter-professional Team Work Culture

Part 2 Psychology across the lifespan and cultures

7. Child Development and Health Care

8. The Impact of Social Group on Health

9. Cultural Awareness, Communication and Trans-cultural Issues within Health Care and Nursing Practice

10. Working with Older Adult Patients in Health Practice

11. Working Within a Health Care Context of Patient Loss, Bereavement and Final Stages of a Terminal Illness

Part 3 Health psychology

12. Risky Behaviours: Smoking, Alcohol, Diet and Exercise

13. Stress, Stress Management and the Practicing Nurse

14. The Psychology of Pain

15. Psychological Models in Health and Health Care

16. Exploring Patient Adherence to Medical Information, Instructions, Prescribed Drugs and Lifestyle Change

17. The Use of Communication and Counselling Skills within the Nurse-Patient Therapeutic Relationship

18. Being Admitted to Hospital

Part 4 Practical applications

19. Applying Psychology to Specific Conditions

20. Applying Psychology to Specific Conditions Part II

Glossary

References