Community Psychology: Healthcare System, Roles, and Prevention

This assignment examines the intersection of community psychology and the healthcare system. It explores how community psychologists contribute to the healthcare system, including their involvement in research, intervention, and the treatment of mental health problems. The assignment also discusses the rationale for this connection, highlighting the importance of preventive measures and the role of psychology in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. It references scholarly sources to support the analysis, emphasizing the shift from treatment-focused to preventive approaches in healthcare and the significance of community psychologists in promoting health and well-being within the community. The assignment focuses on the application of psychology in health policy initiatives, with an emphasis on primary prevention.

Running Head: COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
Community Psychology
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COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Name and discuss three different ways that community psychologists are involved in the
health care system. Use scholarly resources to support your explanation. (150 words).
Community psychology in essence is focused on the relationship between the social
systems and the individual well-being within the community. Community psychologists
handle both social and mental health problems (The American Psychological
Association, 2008). These are handled through research and intervention in both the
public and private community systems. Their roles can either be applied service delivery
or research based on social environment processes. Community psychology covers a
broad range of settings and substantive areas such as conducting research in a mental
hospital can be called in as expert witnesses in court proceedings, evaluating a hospital
program, evaluating and implementing various school-based programs (Kendell, 2000).
They focus on prevention, serving at-risk groups, and building capacity to help those
suffering from short- term or chronic mental health problems. For all the above reasons,
there is a sense of vibrant urgency and uniqueness among community psychologists, as
if they are as much a part of a social movement as of a professional or scientific
discipline (Wahass, 2010).
References
Kendell, R. (2000). The next 25 years. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 6-9.
The American Psychological Association. (2008). Practicing psychology in hospitals
and other health care facilities. Washington: The American Psychological
Association.

COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 3
Wahass, S. H. (2010). The role of psychologists in health care delivery. Journal of
Family Community Medicine , 63-70.

COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 4
2. Why do you think community psychology is connected to the health care system? Does
this seem like a natural fit? Why or why not? Use scholarly resources to support your
explanation. (150 words).
The role of community psychology in preventive measures is vital. The collaboration
between psychology and medicine in the society has helped improve health outcomes as
well as reducing mortality (Rodrigue, 2016). Traditionally, the health system within the
context of medication was designed to treat diseases, of late the cost of health care has
necessitated a dynamic shift from treating to preventive measures. Community
psychologists are well placed in the society to help in this sector of protection rather than
treatment. The psychologist’s vast experience in research and evaluation has allowed
significant contributions to empirically based treatments (Sodel, 2010). The cost of health
is on a constant high, the role of community psychology has shown it is possible to
reduce the cost of health and medical utilization. Health promotion practices have since
being introduced in health policy initiatives, primary prevention is subject to psychology
hence their significance in health care systems (Brown, Freeman, & Bellar, 2012).
References:
Brown, R. T., Freeman, W. S., & Bellar, R. A. (2012). The Role of Psychology in
Health Care Delivery. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 536-545.
Rodrigue, J. R. (2016). Promoting healthier behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs toward sun
exposure in parents of young children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, 1431-1436.
Sodel, D. S. (2010). Rethinking medicine: Improving health outcomes with cost-
effective psychosocial interventions. e. Psychosomatic Medicine, 234-244.