E-Book Overview
This text examines the concepts which are fundamental to everyday nursing practice. Understanding how individuals function psychologically in health and illness is vital to providing appropriate care for all patients and clients. Assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, the author explores the basis of individual psychology focusing on personality traits, beliefs systems, body-image and self-esteem. Periods of illness are seen as psychologically demanding events which individuals cope with in different ways. The book considers how we recognize and interpret the signs and symptoms of illness in ourselves, what influences the decision to seek help and whether or not we comply with advice from health professionals. The contribution of psychological factors to physical wellbeing is also examined and the link between psychological theory and patient care is examined throughout the book. With scenarios and questions to help the reader apply the concepts to nursing practice Essential Psychology for Nurses provides an excellent introduction to the subject for pre-registration students and those studying psychological concepts in relation to health care.
E-Book Content
Essential Psychology for Nurses and Other Health Professionals Understanding how individuals function psychologically in health and illness is vital to providing appropriate care for all patients and clients. With this in mind, Graham Russell has written a text for students in nursing and other health professions which examines key psychological concepts and shows clearly how they apply in everyday practice. Part one explains the basis of individual psychology and how ‘life events’ impact on how we perceive ourselves and others too. Part two focuses on reactions to change, challenging events and loss, with particular emphasis on the nature and causes of emotional states such as anxiety, depression, anger and grief. Part three looks at key issues for health promotion, including why patients seek (or fail to seek) help and what influences compliance and noncompliance with advice from health professionals. Part four examines the links between psychological factors and physical well-being, with particular reference to stress, the cardiovascular and immune systems, and pain. The book is also designed to develop the reader’s self-awareness both in general terms and in the context of being a health care professional. The concluding chapter takes a unique look at how clinical judgements and decisions are made by generating and testing hypotheses. Clinical scenarios and examples are used throughout to demonstrate how psychology may be applied to practice across a wide range of situations, in both hospital and community settings. Learning outcomes and self-test questions have also been included to help readers check their understanding at each stage. Essential Psychology for Nurses and Other Health Professionals is therefore an ideal introduction to psychological concepts for all those studying the subject for the first time. Graham Russell is a Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology at Plymouth University and a qualified nurse. Graham Russell ROUTLEDGE Essential Psychology for Nurses and Other Health Professionals First published 1999 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 © 1999 Graham Russell Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2002. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Br