Health and Patient Psychology

Standalone module

Ready to explore how psychological factors influence health, develop your mental health knowledge and improve communication with patients facing psychological challenges?

Location: Online via distance learning

Course type
Professional short courses/CPD
Entry requirements
Duration

Four months 

Start date

Module overview

Studied via distance learning, this standalone module introduces health psychology, focusing on how behavioral and psychological factors affect health. You will learn about common mental health and perceptual conditions in clinical practice, along with communication strategies for managing patients with additional psychological needs.

The indicative content of the module includes an overview of health psychology and its relevance in patient care. You will examine conditions such as autism, depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as perceptual psychological deficits like spatial neglect, synaesthesia and Charles-Bonnet syndrome. Emphasis is placed on developing appropriate bedside manners, understanding when alternative communication approaches are necessary, and learning how to signpost patients to services while following safeguarding practices.

This is a level 7 module (equivalent level of study to a postgraduate or masters degree) worth 20 credits.

Module tutor(s): Dr Samantha Strong

Why Health and Patient Psychology at Aston University?

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Objectives and outcomes

  1. Introduces you to health psychology by exploring how behavioral and psychological factors, such as thoughts and beliefs, influence health.
  2. Provides knowledge of mental health and perceptual psychological conditions that may appear in clinical settings.
  3. Teaches communication strategies for managing patients with additional psychological needs and delivering interventions to promote healthy habits.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Explain what health psychology is and discuss the role that behavioural and psychological factors play in a person's overall health.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of common mental health problems and recognise and assist patients affected by these conditions in clinical practice.
  • Use appropriate methods of communication with patients who have additional psychological needs or whose health may be impacted by behavioural or psychological factors.
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Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: professionalcpd@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Entry requirements

  • You should be a registered optometrist with the UK General Optical Council (GOC) or another eye care professional.

Fees

UK students (2025/26)
£700 per 10 credits (£1,400 for full module)

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Delivery and assessment

  • This course is delivered via distance learning. You will access learning materials for general study, revision and assessment via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more.
Method of deliveryLearning hours
Small group activity4 hours
Independent activity166 hours
Structured activity20 hours
Formative assessment activity10 hours
Total200 hours
  • Assessment
    The assessment for this standalone module comprises a multiple-choice question element and a portfolio with two distinct components:

    Multiple choice questions (10%): An untimed, open-book test with ten multiple choice questions per lecture, hosted on Blackboard.

    Portfolio (90%): A 2,000-word assignment involving a case study and discussion of evidence-based management strategies, and a 1,000-word self-reflection essay on how the module will transform your approach to practice.
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