Overview

"Over the past two decades, a widening gulf has emerged between illness presentation and the adequacy of traditional biomedical explanations. Currently, the UK is experiencing an ""epidemic of common health problems"" among people in receipt of State incapacity benefits and those who consult their general practitioners. Most do not demonstrate a recognisable pathological or organic basis which would account for the subjective complaints they report. As a result, the causes of many illnesses remain a mystery for both patient and physician, with the result that increasing numbers of people are opting for alternative or complementary medicines. To bridge this gap between illness and its explanation, without abandoning the clear benefits of the biomedical approach, many healthcare professionals have begun to consider a biopsychosocial approach. Central to this approach is the belief that illness is not just the result of discrete pathological processes but involves and can be meaningfully explained in terms of personal, psychological and socio-cultural factors. In particular, the beliefs held by patients about their health are considered central to the way they behave and respond to treatment. However, such beliefs are not specific to patients only - they can greatly influence the behaviour and reasoning of health professionals as well. Psychosocial influences such as beliefs are also relevant when considering society's views regarding the aetiology of illness, recovery and potential for treatment. At a time when public trust in doctors and science is undoubtedly diminishing, a better understanding of patients' beliefs is clearly a priority for clinical practice and research. The Power of Belief brings together a range of experts from neuroscience, rehabilitation and disability medicine and provides a unique account of the role and influence that belief plays in illness manifestation, medical training, promising biopsychosocial interventions and society at large."

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter W. Halligan (School of Psychology, Cardiff University, UK) ,  Mansel Aylward (Director, UnumProvident Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research, Cardiff University, UK)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 16.20cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 24.20cm
Weight:   0.536kg
ISBN:  

9780198530107

ISBN 10:   0198530102
Pages:   264
Publication Date:   20 April 2006
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

1: Peter W. Halligan & Mansel Aylward: Introduction - the relevance of belief for understanding and managing illness behaviour Conceptual and psychological perspectives Peter W. Halligan: Beliefs: explaining illness and shaping experience 2: Vaughan Bell, Peter W. Halligan & Hadyn D. Ellis: A cognitive neuroscience of belief 3: David F. Marks: Biased beliefs and the subjective validation effect 4: Quinton Deeley: The cognitive anthropology of belief 5: Irving Kirsch: Placebo: the role of expectancies in the generation and alleviation of illness Clinical and occupational perspectives Mansel Aylward: Beliefs: clinical and vocational interventions; tackling psychological and social determinants of illness and disability 6: Anthony F. Jorm & Kathleen M. Griffiths: Public and medical beliefs about mental disorders and their treatment 7: Robert Horne: Beliefs and adherence to treatment: the challenge for research and clinical practice 8: Peter Salmon: Explaining unexplained symptoms: the role of beliefs in clinical management 9: A. Kim Burton, Gordon Waddell & Chris J. Main: Beliefs and obstacles to recovery in low back pain 10: Derick T. Wade: Belief in rehabilitation, the hidden power for change 11: Rachelle Buchbinder: Managing disability in public policy initiatives 12: Duncan B. Double: Clinician bias in diagnosis and treatment 13: Robert Ferrari, Oliver Kwan & Jon Friel: Volition and psychosocial factors in illness behaviour

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