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Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare
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Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare

Fourth Edition
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March 2025 | SAGE Publications Ltd
As our understanding of what constitutes ‘good health’ grows, so does our need to understand the psychological aspects of medicine and health, as well as the psychological interventions available in healthcare. This bestselling textbook provides a comprehensive overview of research, theory, application, and current practices in the field. The new edition delves deeper into critical topics such as diversity and health inequalities, cultural influences on healthcare, the rise of digital healthcare solutions, and the well-being of healthcare practitioners. With updated case studies, research examples, and online resources, this essential text equips medical and healthcare students with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving landscape of health psychology.

Richard de Visser is a Professor of Health Psychology at Brighton & Sussex Medical School.

Susan Ayers is a Professor of Maternal and Child Health at City St George’s, University of London in the School of Health and Medical Sciences.
 
1 Psychology and Medicine
 
Section I: Psychology and Health
 
2 Motivation, Emotion, and Health
 
3 Stress and Health
 
4 Symptoms, Pain, and Illness
 
5 Health and Behaviour
 
6 Chronic Illness, Death, and Dying
 
Section II: Basic Foundations of Psychology
 
7 The Nervous System, Neurology, and Psychiatry
 
8 Psychosocial Development across the Lifespan
 
9 Social Psychology
 
10 Cognitive Psychology
 
Section III: Healthcare Practice
 
11 Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equality in Medicine and Healthcare
 
12 Evidence-Based Practice
 
13 Clinical Communication
 
14 Psychological Intervention
 
Section IV: Body Systems
 
15 Immunity and Protection
 
16 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health
 
17 Gastrointestinal Health
 
18 Reproduction and Endocrinology
 
19 Genitourinary Medicine

Richard de Visser

Dr Richard de Visser has been working in the fields of health psychology and public health for 25 years.  He is Reader in Psychology at Brighton & Sussex Medical School and the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex, where has received awards for his individual and group teaching.  He was co-author of Psychology for Medicine (Sage, 2011) and Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare (Sage, 2017). Richard completed a BSc in psychology at the University of Melbourne, and a PhD at the Australian Research centre in Sex, Health & Society. He then undertook post-doctoral work at Birkbeck College, University of... More About Author

Susan Ayers

Susan AyersSusan is a psychologist specialising in wellbeing and mental health during pregnancy and after birth. She is a professor at City, University of London in the School of Health Sciences, a chartered health psychologist and cognitive behaviour therapist. Since obtaining her PhD from the University of London, Susan worked at St. George's Hospital Medical School (London) and Brighton and Sussex Medical School (Sussex) before moving to City, University of London. Susan is co-author of Psychology for Medicine (2011), and Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare (Sage, 2017) and editor of the Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and... More About Author

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