Medical psychology

Medical psychology, as well defined by most of the medical dictionaries is defined as "the branch of psychology concerned with the application of psychological principles to the practice of medicine".

Medical psychology refers to a “rising specialty area of clinical psychological practice in which the clinical psychologists, who have undergone specific education and training at the post-doctoral level, put together somatic and / or psychotherapeutic modalities into the management of mental illness.”

Medical Psychology is an area of expertise trained at the post doctoral level and premeditated to convey the highly developed diagnostic and clinical interventions in Medical and Healthcare Facilities utilizing the acquaintance and skills of the following modes of psychology:

• clinical psychology
• behavioral medicine
• health psychology
• psychopharmacology and basic medical science.

Medical psychology is a field that is focused and committed to serving the individuals with illness, disease or traumatic injury. The center of attention is given to the interactions that occur sandwiched between the mind and the body and the influential ways in which the biological, emotional and societal factors have an effect on the physical health and welfare.

The Medical psychologists will be able to help the patients to stick to their treatment plans, control their symptoms, encourage hale and hearty behaviors and in general, regulate their physical illness.

Some of the Clinical Competencies are recognized as fundamental in the education and training of medical psychologists:

• Basic Science which includes: anatomy, & physiology, biochemistry;
• Neurosciences are: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry;
• Physical Assessment and Laboratory Exams: physical assessment, laboratory and radiological assessment, medical terminology;
• Clinical Medicine and Pathophysiology: pathophysiology with importance on the clinical medicine, principal physiological systems, clinical correlation and case studies, differential diagnosis, chronic pain management, chemical dependency

Some of the services that are being offered by the medical psychologists at Meriter are:

• Behavioral changes that are related to health
• Motivational interviewing, pain management
• Cognitive-behavioral health therapy
• HeartMath biofeedback, pre-surgical evaluation
• Methods to Relax and meditation
• Hypnosis, psychological testing
• Concise cognitive screening

Questions:

• What are the other fundamental clinical competencies?
• What is medical psychology according to Division 55?