Course Description
Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field combining medicine and psychology, and focuses on the integration of biological and social determinants in the study of behavioral causes and remediation of illness and disease. This course will address health psychology, behavioral therapy, and preventive medicine from the medical and psychological perspectives.
Athena Title
Introduction to Behavioral Med
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HPRB 3100H
Non-Traditional Format
Lecture hours will follow a textbook and will be supplemented by topical guest lectures from leaders in the field of behavioral medicine. Residency rotations/practical experience at a local hospital will make up one-third of the course.
Prerequisite
BIOS 3000 and EPID 4070
Pre or Corequisite
HPRB 3020 or HPRB 3020S
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
• Apply concepts of biological medicine and behavioral psychology to understand and influence the health of individuals and groups. • Describe how unhealthy behaviors are maintained through biological mechanisms, behavioral activity, and social influence. • Describe and apply interventions for healthy behavior changes, including treating stress and sleep problems, increasing physical activity, and reducing behaviors that contribute to the risk of infection.
Topical Outline
A. Introduction to Behavioral Medicine 1. Health psychology, preventive medicine, and public health 2. Biopsychosocial model and theory in medicine B. Psychological Foundations of Health 1. Emotions and stress 2. Personality and health 3. Cognition and health 4. Developmental processes and health 5. Mental health 6. Psychoneuroimmunology C. Social Foundations of Health 1. Social determinants 2. Community psychology and social work 3. Health policy 4. Applying your liberal arts education to health: Politics, economics, and sociology D. Behavioral Medicine Interventions 1. Stress management 2. Physical activity 3. Smoking cessation 4. Diet and nutrition 5. Cognitive and behavioral therapies E. Health Psychology and Medicine 1. Cardiology 2. Diabetes 3. Sleep 4. Cancer 5. Pain 6. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs 7. HIV 8. Chronic disease 9. Infectious disease F. Behavioral Medicine and Global Health