Behavioral Sciences

BHSC 201

Course Length: 16 weeks

Semester: 3 (2 credits)

Course Discription

Behavioral sciences is a branch of science concerned with the systematic study of human behavior; how we learn, think and interact with others, what motivates our actions, and the role of personality and individual differences in behavior. It examines individuals and their behavior along with the behavior of societies, groups and cultures. The study of behavior is one of the major contributors to medical science.

This course is designed to prepare medical students to recognize and become more comfortable with the psychological and social issues that patients bring to the medical setting. These psychosocial issues which are relevant to healthcare practice are discussed thoroughly in this course, with a focus on practical applications and use of a problem-solving approach. Students will explore various methods for studying human behavior and learn basic concepts in the fields of psychology and sociology.

The course will provide an overview of the psychological/behavioral components of health and illness. The focus is on the theoretical and practical bases for understanding the complexities of relationships between the doctor, patients, their families, their environments, and their health issues. It will highlight ways in which the doctor-patient relationship is at the core of medical care and how it is significantly impacted by other factors such as the background, history, and current status of the patient as well as the self-awareness, attitudes and professionalism of the physician.

The course will examine the ways in which developmental stages can be used to understand the behavior, thoughts and emotions of a patient whether in childhood, adolescence, or aging. This course will also cover cognitive processes such as memory and learning, and their effects on patients’ behaviors and emotions. It will also explore common psychosocial issues that cross the lines of specialties, such as grief and stress.

The behavioral science course encourages students to:

• Adapt bio-psycho-social and relationship-centered approaches to care.
• Promote the integration of socio-cultural factors within the delivery and organization of health care services.
• Emphasize the impact of familial, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental contexts in patient care to improve health outcomes.
• Integrate psychological and behavioral knowledge into the care of physical symptoms and diseases.
• Integrate mental health into primary health care services.
• Promote patient self-efficacy and behavior change as primary factors in health care.
• Practice a developmental and life cycle perspective with patients.
• Encourage and support health care provider self-awareness, coping strategies, and well-being.