Bsc. in Medical Psychology

Introduction

Medical psychology falls within the interdisciplinary field of behavioural medicine. The field is concerned with the development and integration of psychosocial, behavioural and biomedical knowledge relevant to health and illness, and the application of this knowledge to prevention, aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients/clients within a lifespan perspective. The theories and models concerning illness and treatment are embedded within the biopsychosocial model and are based on knowledge from clinical psychology, health psychology and neuropsychology. Treatment models are based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including and not limited to Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a focus on change of behaviour, change in coping styles and changes of illness perceptions. Prevention and public health are also part of behavioural medicine with focus on non-ill persons.

Therefore, medical psychology is the most applied branch of behavioural medicine with strong focus on the ill person in the medical setting especially hospitals. These require individual with high-level professional preparation, specialized in helping patients/clients with health-related problems in health facilities and schools. In addition to the health orientation of specialization, these medical psychologist will need competence in information technology, own continuing education as well as management and leadership. They also need capability to adapt to change, promote change and advancement of medical psychology and link with research or at least developing a scientific attitude, even in a clinical setting as a science practitioner.

The Bachelor of Science in medical psychology (BSc MedPsych) will provide specialized training for persons interested in becoming professional medical psychologist. Its graduates will deal with patients/clients with diverse health-related needs, including afore mentioned and contributing towards the well-being of the Kenyans and humanity generally. Further, it prepares graduates for managerial and leadership, teaching and research responsibilities.

The degree program is committed, therefore, to producing world-class medical psychologist who are also relevant and useful locally. It will pursue this through innovative medical education. This includes, among others, the use of a competency-based, integrated, community-oriented, student centered, problem-based learning curriculum and instructional strategies that promote development of all needed professional competences. This programme is in line with Moi University vision and mission and the school of medicine to produce graduates with practical and intellectual skills appropriates to the need of present and future Kenyan society.