Posted: April 3rd, 2015

Health Psychology

Health Psychology

Order Description

Title: Using the vignette provided below, critically evaluate a range of professional issues you are likely to encounter within your hypothetical role as a Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor, and how your training to date will help you to overcome some of these issues.

Vignette
“You have completed your MSc in Health Psychology and have been employed within a UK hospital trust as a Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor. The post is based within a Specialist Stop Smoking Service that provides an evidence-based comprehensive smoking cessation and prevention service to a diverse client group across the county.
As part of your post you are required to be proactive in identifying clients and settings in which to deliver relevant interventions that focus on health improvement and reducing inequalities. You are responsible for providing individual and group support to people who wish to stop smoking. You will be working in partnership with a wide range of individuals and Organisations in settings including primary care, hospitals, local authority services, workplaces, local community groups, prisons etc. You also support the delivery of training in smoking cessation methods and brief interventions to other health professionals and those working in other organisations.
One of the reasons you were successful in obtaining the post was that you have the knowledge of how to help clients through health behaviour change, and have an up-to-date knowledge and experience in smoking cessation methods including effective use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Bupropion and Varenicline.”
Based on the knowledge, skills and experience you have gathered throughout your studies on the MSc. in Health Psychology, critically evaluate a range of professional issues you are likely to encounter within this role, and how your training will help you to overcome some of these issues.
Professional issues that you may like to consider include:
• Confidentiality
• Quality of care
• Practicing safely and effectively
• Management and training
• Communication
• Legal and ethical boundaries and practice
• Respect for service users and other members of staff
• Personal/professional development