The Behavioral Sciences and Health Care

The fourth edition of The Behavioral Sciences and Health Care provides trainees in every area of health care with foundational concepts of behavioral science as applied to individual and population health and disease. The text breathes new life into the biopsychosocial model by highlighting the integrated sciences model, which focuses on interdependence of the contributions made by all of the sciences basic to medicine. This integration is exemplified by the unifying conceptual framework of evolutionary science, in which increasingly complex gene-individual-environmental interactions explain behavior at the individual and social level. Concise, updated chapters cover foundational elements of neuroscience, stress biology, normal psychology, and social factors in health care, addressing both traditional areas of behavioral science and topical concerns such as pain, palliative care, addictions, health care disparities, and violence. Uniquely among books of this kind, the text includes a thorough discussion of psychiatric disorders and therapies, aligned with current nosology (DSM-5). All chapters contain clinical pearls or vignettes, highlighted to emphasize applications in health care settings, as well as review questions and suggestions for further reading. A practice exam with extensive discussion of answers deepens students' understanding of core topics while preparing them for certifying and licensing exams. This text is particularly suited for use in systems-based and casebased curricula. Individual chapters can be used creatively in flipped classrooms and other active learning environments. Accessible and clear, without oversimplification, the book facilitates interdisciplinary education, providing a common core of knowledge for students in medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, and other health care professions.