NHS Careers > Explore by career > Psychological therapies > Careers in psychological therapies > Psychologist > Health psychologist
Health psychology is a new and rapidly evolving area, and can be defined as the practice and application of psychological methods to the study of behaviour relevant to health, illness and healthcare.
For example, health psychologists may study:
- when and why people seek professional advice about their health
- why healthcare professionals do or do not recommend preventative measures
- how patients and healthcare professionals interact
- how patients adapt to illness
- the links between perception, health behaviour and physical functioning.
Working as a health psychologist
Health psychologists focus on public health problems, healthcare provisions and responses to illness. These issues may be identified by healthcare agencies (including NHS trusts and health authorities), health professionals (such as GPs, nurses and rehabilitation therapists) and organisations and employers outside the NHS.
Source: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
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