Prevention to Palliative Care; the application of Health Psychology and the biopsychosocial approach to improve patient health outcomes within a multidisciplinary environment

The following portfolio demonstrates work undertaken to fulfill the five competencies for the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology. Below is reference to the placements that I have worked across, predominately within an National Health Service (NHS) setting, incorporating a biopsychosocial model within various physical health environments. These experiences have enhanced my skills and knowledge in the areas of prevention, self-management of physical health conditions, behaviour change and applying therapeutic models including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to my practice. The aforementioned opportunities have enhanced my personal and professional development, including establishing my Health Psychology identity, gaining a wide variety of experiences and meeting inspiring people, which are reflected in the chapters throughout my portfolio. The development of my Professional Doctorate portfolio was conducted within and outside of the roles identified below; to demonstrate the application of theories and frameworks of Health Psychology within various environments. A summary of each of the competencies are documented below. Professional Practice I have predominately worked within the NHS throughout my Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, my experiences include, working as a Health and Wellbeing Advisor within an acute medical setting and a Trainee Health Psychologist in Occupational Health, Pain Management and Neuropsychology. See below details of placements for further information. Behaviour Change Interventions I have gained extensive experience within the area of behaviour change interventions within various contexts and delivery including; face-to-face, online and group interventions. For the portfolio, I have presented two of the many behaviour change interventions conducted; one-to-one, face-to-face smoking cessation intervention and one online group intervention for sleep hygiene. I have demonstrated the application of Health Psychology theory and principles into my clinical practice. Teaching and Training I have evidenced a number of teaching and training experiences within my teaching reflective diary. In the portfolio, I will detail the implementation of a face-to-face, five-week teaching programme regarding Health Psychology theories, frameworks and the biopsychosocial model to student nurses. Consultancy I implemented my skills in Consultancy within an external professional organisation (A school). I produced a consultancy contract, provided work in consultancy by designing and delivering a stress management intervention and an end of consultancy report was produced including a case study. Research I have conducted three original pieces of research: qualitative, quantitative and a systematic review. The systematic review explored the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for smoking cessation. Empirical paper one was based around implementing psychological measures; Distress Thermometer and Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale, within a palliative care environment and empirical paper two was conducted on the readability of health information presented to patients who are experiencing a Macular Hole.