CH1S22 - Behavioural Science 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CH1S22
Module Title: Behavioural Science
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Chiropractic
Module Leader: Annie Newsam
Module Team: Angela Sims, Hayley Davies, Jayne Ludlow, Paul McCambridge
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100241 - chiropractic
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To introduce students to a comprehensive approach to healthcare encompassing a Biopsychosocial Model of healthcare perspective. 

To extend student knowledge, skill and ability in order to facilitate the effective application of communication skills in clinical practice and the importance of interdisciplinary learning. 

To help students critically examine their beliefs and how they may affect the healing relationship. 

Content Summary

The role of the General Chiropractic Council, introducing The Code (June 2016, amended October 2019). 

The Biopsychosocial and Biomedical Models of healthcare. Identifying Red and Yellow Flags. Fear Avoidance Behaviour and Catastrophising. 

Effective communication; Verbal and non-verbal communication, developing the Doctor–Patient relationship, elderly patients, disabled patients, paediatric and teenage patients, inter-cultural patients, LGBTQ+ patients. 

Illness behaviour and the Sick Role. Psychosocial factors that can affect illness behaviour. Pain diaries and Pain drawings. 

Personality and awareness of self. The nature of self, Self-efficacy, self awareness, attitudes and beliefs, personality types, personality and health. 

Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.  

Learning and Motivation; Motivational factors, unrealistic optimism, Motivational Interviewing, SMART goals in healthcare, Making Every Contact Count. 

Compliance and adherence to treatment plans. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), cognitive disorders. 

Emotions; Primary emotions, sequence of an emotion, Emotional Intelligence, Management of common emotions.  

Stress; Fight or Flight, General Adaptation Syndrome, Effects of stress on health, Measuring stress, Management of stress, Coping Behaviour, Self Efficacy, stress related disorders. 

Depression; Types of depression, Depression in the elderly and younger patients, treatments, genograms. 

Anger and Aggression; Types of anger and aggression, theories of aggression, dealing with aggressive patients. 

Ethics; Ethical behaviour, theories, principles, the GCC Code, the Wounded Healer. 

An introduction to person centred helping, personal growth and the role of the chiropractor and their role in the wider healthcare community. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Practical classes and workshops 20
Independent Study 18
Directed Study 122
Groupwork 20
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding and reflect upon the psychological and sociological factors pertinent to clinical practice and how they impact on the patient, practitioner encounter (Biopsychosocial Model of care) and other relevant healthcare models / theories.
LO2 Develop and apply effective group dynamics and communication skills relevant to working in an interdisciplinary environment.
LO3 Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of professionalism, ethics, confidentiality, empathy, patient values and beliefs and their relevance in clinical practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Short answer, essay, multiple choice 90 N/A 65 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 Development of a group poster and presentation. 15 N/A 35 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1

Reading List

1 Aitken, V., Jellicoe, H. (1996). Behavioural Sciences for Health Professionals, W.B. Saunders. 

2 Brannon, L., Feist, L. and Updegraff, J.A. (2013). Health Psychology: an introduction to behaviour and health, 8th edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 

3 Coon, D. (20053) Essentials of Psychology, 9th edition. Wadsworth. 

4 Davis, C.M. (2016) Patient Practitioner Interaction, 6th edition. Slack Incorp. 

5 Fadem, B. (2012) Behavioral Science in Medicine, 2nd ed. Wolters Kluwer. 

6 General Chiropractic Council (2016, ammended 2019), The Code; Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for chiropractors. 

7 Sahler, O.J & Carr, J.E. (2012) The Behavioral Sciences and Health Care. 3rd edition, Hogrefe Publishing.