What do medical health psychologists do and what training should they receive? What are the requirements for the education of such specialists today and what are the general prospects for work in this direction? Health psychology is a special area of knowledge that examines how psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors influence a physical state of health or illness.
What do these specialists do?
Medical psychologists are involved in solving a variety of problems. One or another type of work that such a psychologist does every day depends on various conditions and features. Some specialists work in a clinical setting and help individuals or even entire groups prevent diseases by developing healthy habits. Others explore health-related issues or participate in shaping policy goals in the health system.
Medical psychologist and medical activity
In clinical or medical organizations, psychologists often conduct behavioral assessments and interviews. They also conduct personality tests. In addition, their tasks are often associated with group events. They inform the population about methods aimed at reducing stress, offering useful tips to those who decide to abandon bad habits. Also, such specialists teach people how to eliminate an unhealthy lifestyle.
Researching
Many medical psychologists are engaged in research on various issues related to health. For example, researchers can study the causes of health problems along with effective preventative measures and the best ways to strengthen immunity. What is the best way to deal with pain? How can I get a person to seek medical help? For all the answers to such questions, you should contact these specialists.
Contribution to Public Policy
Some of the medical psychologists work in government in order to be able to influence health policy. Such work involves lobbying for special projects along with overcoming health inequities. In addition, psychologists advise government agencies on health care reform.
Where do they work?
Psychologists work in medical centers, clinics, private institutions or universities. Some, as a rule, choose specialization in a particular field, for example, in oncology, gynecology, and so on. Other professionals prefer to work in government. As part of this work, they have the ability to manage public health system programs, and also influence state policy.
The psychological service is also actively developed in other sectors: production, industry, trade, finance, but today its units can be found not so often, they are not provided by the legislative framework.
Activities are carried out in social welfare services in state institutions, psychological support is provided to unemployed citizens, people with disabilities and older people who are supported by the state.
The post of psychologist was introduced in the military units of the Ministry of Defense.
The psychological service also works with prisoners, psychodiagnostics is carried out to study personality traits, group and individual psychocorrectional work. There are psychologists in the penal system of the Ministry of Justice, a special Center for the Psycho-Diagnostics of military medical commissions has been created.
How much does a specialist earn?
The salary of a medical clinical psychologist, as a rule, depends on a number of factors such as geographical location, along with working conditions, education and work experience. According to statistics, certified psychologists who work directly with people earn an average of eighty thousand dollars in the United States annually.
Sections of medical psychology
The psychology of health involves a number of areas of professional activity, for example:
- Clinical psychology. In this area, the work of specialists includes psychotherapy along with behavior modification and health education.
- Public health. People who work in this area are engaged in the development of various preventive measures. Performing work with groups, they are engaged in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
- Psychology of public health. Such specialists are engaged in health research at the level of the state’s population and often give advice and recommendations to healthcare workers, and also to state institutions.
What does it take to get a job to a medical psychologist?
Education requirements
Most graduates of this profession have a doctorate in psychology. Often, they first receive a bachelor's degree, and then begin to specialize in medical psychology in graduate school. The direction of the curriculum itself may vary. Some areas prepare personnel for clinical work, while others - for conducting research activities.
Anyone wishing to obtain a license to engage in clinical or advisory work must undergo an internship within a year of acquiring a doctorate. Jobs a medical psychologist are closed very quickly.
With a bachelor’s diploma, job opportunities are limited, although some often find work in correctional organizations. Those specialists who receive a master's degree, as a rule, work under the supervision of licensed psychologists.
