Health psychology committee report

Health Psychology Committee Report

Health care reform plan

Duty list:

This would be the ideal assignment for a child psychologist. A child psychologist possesses intimate knowledge of childhood development issues and can help schools deal with psychological and academic challenges with children in a more effective manner. Children are not 'small adults.' Children have specific needs based upon the biology of their brains. That is why developmental psychology is a unique subfield of psychology: developmental psychologists "study the physiological, cognitive, and social development that takes place throughout life," which change depending on the life phase of the person (Psychologists, 2011, BLS).

Provide psychological preparation methods for children prior to medical procedures: Likewise, a child psychologist can help prepare children before procedures in an age-appropriate manner. A child's perception of a surgery, or a painful test, for example, will not be the same as an adult's who more fully understands what is going on. The in-patient therapist could also provide assistance in helping parents deal with the illnesses of their child.

Provide treatment for chronic pain: This would seem to be best-suited for an adult psychologist. He or she could combine psychological and medical ways to deal with pain that would be administered both in an in-patient and out-patient setting. "A psychologist can help you address the emotional impact of chronic pain. Using behavioral therapy techniques, a psychologist can help you identify and change negative thoughts -- thoughts that can exacerbate your pain. The psychologist can help you deal with any depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders often associated with chronic pain" (Walker 2011).

Provide psychological preparation methods for adults prior to medical procedures and surgery: This would be best-suited for an in-patient psychologist. The psychologist would be specifically charged with the duties of preparing adult patients for in-house procedures and surgery, focusing on short-term rather than long-term needs (Department of Psychology, 2011, Mass General Hospital).

Coordinate the use of recovery programs and structured programs for substance abuse, in conjunction with social worker: Dealing with the psychological and medical needs of substance abusers requires specific preparation and would be best delegated to a substance abuse counselor. Most major research hospitals have departments specifically devoted to the treatment of substance-abuse related complaints, given the expanding knowledge we now possess about how addition changes the addict's brain. "Despite the availability of many forms of effective treatment for addiction, the problem of relapse remains the major challenge to achieving sustained recovery. People trying to recover from drug abuse and addiction are often doing so with altered brains, strong drug-related memories and diminished impulse control" (Volkow 2011).

Diagnose stress disorders and aid in stress-relief interventions: These generalized psychological treatments would best be allocated to an adult psychologist who could help patients use such stress-reduction techniques outside of the facility in their daily lives. Stress relief can be helpful for both psychologically normal patients as well as individuals suffering from psychological complaints. Recently, a study in the Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging reported that all participants in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program made "measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. In researchers' reports of the results of their study, the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain's grey matter," it was demonstrated that meditation works in a wide variety of patients (Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in 8 weeks, 2011, Mass General). Perceptions of feeling less stressed out were clearly not subjective or a placebo effect, based upon the neuroimaging conducted. Stress disorder treatment can thus be helpful to a wide range of patients and would be more appropriate for an adult psychologist to oversee to suggest techniques for use in outpatient settings over the course of patient's lifetimes.

Utilize various methods to facilitate adjustment and coping skills with patients suffering a chronic or terminal illness: this would be best allocated to an in-patient psychologist who could oversee the treatment of patients facing such serious complaints, helping them through the trajectory of their illness. Inpatient psychologists would also possess a more in-depth knowledge of the specific treatment the patient was undergoing, and be able to tailor the treatment plan to the illness. According to the American Psychological Association in a bulletin specifically addressed to patients suffering chronic illnesses: "A qualified psychologist can help you build the emotional resilience necessary to navigate the difficulties of chronic illness. Working with your physician and other specialists, the psychologist can help develop appropriate coping strategies that will not only reinforce your treatment program, but also help you fulfillment in life regardless of any physical limitations" (Chronic illness, 2011, APA). The adult and/or child psychologist could provide assistance in helping adult and child patients deal with stress, regret, PTSD and other associated complaints when warranted.

A fifth possible role might include a psychiatrist specifically trained in an illness present in the population at a high rate or to treat a population present in the community with specific, health-related needs, such as autism or gerontology (treatment of the elderly).

Having such a wide range of therapists on hand would provide more comprehensive community care because of their ability to focus upon the needs of specific populations. Children possess specific developmental needs that cannot be ignored. Additionally, there has been increased concern about over-medication of children, and treating children as small adults with medications that are not thoroughly tested on their developing bodies. Having a child psychologist on hand is essential, and could also work as a community liaison with schools to educate parents and students about stress management, dealing with learning disabilities, bullying, and health and safety issues. This could create a positive image for the hospital in the community.