254 RELATING TO PATIENTS
SAMPLE ESSAY TITLES
- What are placebo effects and can they be used to improve health?
- How can the effectiveness of doctor–patient consultations be maximized? Discuss
with reference to relevant research. - Poor adherence to health promotion and medical advice reduces the effectiveness of
health services. How can we improve adherence? - What is meant by patient-centred consultations and are they effective?
- How can psychologists help people with long-term illnesses?
FURTHER READING
Journal articles
Eccleston, C., Morley, S.J. and Williams, A.C. (2013). Psychological approaches to chronic
pain management: Evidence and challenges. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 111, 59–63.
Harrington, J., Noble, L.M. and Newman, S.P. (2004). Improving patients’ communication
with doctors: A systematic review of intervention studies. Patient Education and Counselling,
52, 7–16.
Kaplan, R.M. (1990). Behavior as the central outcome in health care. American Psychologist, 45,
1211–1220.
Little, P., Everitt, H., Williamson, I., Warner, G., Moore, M., Gould, C., Ferrier, K. and Payne,
S. (2001). Observational study of effect of patient centredness and positive approach on
outcomes of general practice consultations. British Medical Journal, 323, 908–911.
Stewart-Williams, S. (2004). The placebo puzzle: Putting together the pieces. Health Psychology,
23, 198–206.