Exercises for Health Psychology - Essay Example

The biopsychosocial model introduces the emotional state, personal issues, family issues, and community issues that might affect a patient's health and medical diagnosis. Therefore the acceptance of this model has stemmed from the fact that medical providers have now realized that the psychological influences in an individual's life can alter the medical care and affect the patient outcome (Borrell-Correlo et al 2004, pg. 577). 2.

Investigate Cultural differences in the incidence and prevalence of various diseases, such as HIV/Aids, and Cancer, and of life expectancy. What factors do you believe are related to these differences? present, many different cultures approach these based on their religious beliefs, social customs, and overall societal views of them (Martin & Kukall 1996, pg. 993). For instance with Alzheimer's disease, those with a Latino background are more apt to care for their family member at home rather than placing them in a nursing care facility.

This is in comparison to how Americans often care for a relative with this medical prognosis. Australian culture follows much the same type of philosophy; with diseases such as AID, and even Cancer having an influential factor in the life expectancy that might present itself. This is because these two cultural bodies carry a collectivist attitude instead of an individualistic one such as Americans have. Therefore, the factors that play a pertinent role in disease and how different cultures relate to it are listed as follows, religion, family bonds, social perception, personal values, societal views, and community support.

This clearly shows that some cultures focus more on the psychological aspects of the medical diagnosis; more so than what the actual biological bearing is going to be. 3. What is the Placebo effect, and why is it often important to include a placebo in health researchA placebo is simply an inactive element in medicine that has absolutely no effect on any medical outcome. It is or can be a pill that holds no medicinal qualities, a liquid of the same quality, or even an intravenous fluid that is used in medical studies and other experiments to see if the patient or individual in a study perceives there to be an actual effect.

The main purpose is to test the strength of the actual drug and to compare the two to see if the real medicine does promote improved health and destroys cells in the body that can promote more health complications, depending upon what it is being developed for (Hrobjartsson & Gotzsche 2001, pg. 1594). The importance of including a placebo in medical research is to accurately check the reaction of the true medication, that is being developed, which was mentioned.