Textbook of Applied Medical Psychology: A Multidisciplinary Approach

"Health care involves a complex interplay of medical and behavioural expertise. This book offers both a broad overview of medical psychology and some deep dives into specific areas of practice. We are, I suspect, only beginning to discover the ways in which medical and psychological science offer complementary paths for healing. Medical professionals face a broad range of challenges beyond acute healing. As reflected in the chapters of this book, much of current medical practice involves managing chronic conditions that are related to patients behaviour and lifestyle. Whether or not a disease was caused by lifestyle, its course, management, and outcome are often intertwined with behavioural choices. Even in acute care, pharmacotherapy and physical rehabilitation rely on patients adhering to prescribed medication or practices. Behaviour change is therefore fundamental in health care; yet it often receives relatively little time and attention in medical training".