UNZA Pharmacy Training Lecture notes

1. Behavioural and social Sciences
PMY 2455
S.CHUNGU
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2. Outline
• Introduction
• Definitions
• Role of behavioural science in medical
practice.
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3. Introduction
• The function and state of the mind is of
significant importance to the physical health
of an individual.
• Behavioural sciences provide a new way of
thinking about your own feelings, thoughts,
and actions and those of other persons.
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4. Behavioral sciences?
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5. Behavioral Science
• Behavioral science is any of the
disciplines 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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6. • Study of individual differences in relation to
patient’s behaviour.
• Including among others is the field psychology.
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7. What is Psychology?
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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. • Psychology is a scientific study of behaviour
and mental/cognitive processes.
• Psychology describes thinking and behaviour
and their relationship (what) and tries to
explain the cause (why).
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10. • Psychologists try to answer the what and why
to:
– Determine how people think
– How they act
– Why they do certain things
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11. • Three key terms in the definition of
psychology:
– Science
– Behaviour
– Mental processes
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12. • As a science
– Psychology uses systematic methods to observe,
describe, predict and explain behaviour.
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13. • 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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14. • Human behaviour can be influenced by:
– Culture
– Emotions
– Rapport
– Attitudes
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15. • 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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16. Role of Behavioural Sciences in
Medical Practice
• 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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17. • Understanding theories and methods of
behavioural sciences .
• Understanding a range of behaviours
occurring in health care setting.
• Adopt holistic approach to health care.
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18. • 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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19. Summary
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