The document serves as an introduction to behavioral sciences in medical practice, highlighting the importance of understanding both one’s own behavior and that of patients. It outlines key concepts such as the definition of psychology and the influence of human behavior on health, along with the biopsychosocial model. Additionally, it describes the role of behavioral sciences in enhancing patient care, treatment compliance, and doctor-patient relationships.

1. Introduction to Behavioural
Sciences in Medical Practice
PSY 3015
J. M. Ncheka
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2. Outline
• Introduction
• Definitions
• Foundations of behavioural sciences
• Role of behavioural science in medical
practice.
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3. Introduction
• It is important to understand one’s own
behaviour and that of a patient.
• Understanding theories and methods of
behavioural sciences .
• Understand a range of behaviours occurring in
health care setting.
• Adopt holistic approach to health care.
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4. Behavioral Science
• Behavioral science is any of discipline dealing
with the subject of human actions.
• Science of human behaviour.
• Concerned with study, observation and
explanation of human behaviour either in
single individuals or in a group.
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5. • Study of individual differences in relation to
patient’s behaviour.
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6. What is the Psychology
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7. • Imagine you are seated in a restaurant next to
a stranger. You find out he/she is a
psychologist.
–What comes to your mind?
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8. • Comes from two Greek word.
– Psyche (Soul)
– Logos (rational course/study)
• Defined as the study of the mind.
– What is mind?
– How can it be studied?
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9. • The description and explanation of state of
consciousness/ science of consciousness
(James, Wundt).
– Excludes the activities of the subconscious and
unconscious mind.
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10. • Psychology is a scientific study of behaviour
and mental processes.
• Three key terms:
– Science
– Behaviour
– Mental processes
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11. • As a science
– Psychology uses systematic methods to observe,
describe, predict and explain behaviour.
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12. • Behaviour
– Actions/reactions of an organism in relation to the
environment.
– Any form of life activity.
– Everything we do that can be directly observed.
– Can be conscious or unconscious
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13. • Human behaviour can be influenced by:
– Culture
– Emotions
– Rapport
– Attitudes
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14. • Mental processes
– Thoughts, feelings, motives
– Experienced privately
– Cannot be observed directly
– Though they are not observable, they are real and
can affect one’s behaviours.
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15. FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOURAL
SCIENCE
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16. • 19th
Century
– Modern medicine
• Physical investigation
• Medical examination
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17. • 20th
Century
– Challenges to some assumptions of biomedicine
– Increasing role of psychology in health
• Mind and body relationship
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18. The Biopsychosocial Model of Health
and Illness
Bio Psycho Social
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Lesions
• Belief
• Coping
• Stress
• Class
• Employment
• Ethnicity
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19. ROLE OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
IN MEDICAL PRACTICE
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20. • It helps in understanding:
– Causes of illness (mind body interactions).
– Presentation of illness.
– Delivery of health care
• Planning for health care assessment and
treatment.
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21. • Plays a role in patient behaviour and
treatment compliance.
• Psychological tests help in diagnosis.
• Helps in communication.
• Understand uniqueness of individuals.
• Helps in creating a doctor-patient relationship.
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22. Summary
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