Book Description
Provides practical guidance to psychologists and psychology students working or considering working in a primary care setting. The authors begin with an overview of clinical health psychology in primary care that includes a review of several models for integrating into a medical practice, a discussion of the differences between specialty health psychology services and primary care health psychology services, and a listing of skills necessary for success in the primary care setting. Chapter 2 is devoted to suggestions for establishing and maintaining a clinical health psychology practice in the primary care setting. The subsequent chapters are devoted to common health complaints and diseases seen in primary care, and the collaborative role a clinical health psychologist can play in managing these patients within the primary care setting. The chapters on diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, asthma, acute and chronic pain, insomnia, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders begin with a description of the conditions and their common medical treatments to help psychologists work collaboratively and in an informed manner with physician colleagues. The book concludes with a discussion of future trends and opportunities in health psychology and integrated primary care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).