The Division of Health Psychology

The Special Group in Health Psychology was redesignated the Division of Health Psychology in December 1997 following a vote by the Membership of the Society. To become Chartered with the British Psychological Society as a Health Psychologist it is necessary to:

See DHP website on www.health-psychology.org.uk for details on training

The aims and objectives for the Division as agreed by Annual General Meeting, September 2000 are:

AIMS

1. To study scientifically the psychological processes of health, illness and health care
2. To apply psychology to:
   1. the promotion and maintenance of health
   2. the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation
   3. the prevention of illness and disability and the enhancement of outcomes of those who are ill or disabled
3. To develop professional skills in research, consultancy and teaching/training

OBJECTIVES

Developing Health Psychology

1. To develop and evaluate education in health psychology
2. To facilitate the development of research in health psychology
3. To develop professional roles, career structure and employment possibilities for health psychologists
4. To increase the membership of the Division.

Applying Health Psychology

5. To promote the application of health psychology in the domains of health and social care
6. To promote the development of effective, psychologically informed interventions that enhance health-related behaviour
7. To contribute to the framing of relevant public health agendas, strategies and targets
8. To work more closely with policy-making bodies eg. Department of Health, Health Development Agency, the Health Education Board of Scotland, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, research funding bodies in the UK
9. To promote involvement with local community bodies and user groups (eg Health Action Zones, regional development teams and local implementation groups)
10. To teach and train others who have an impact on health.
    

Activities include:

• Annual Conference
• Symposia in conjunction with the Society's annual meetings
• Publication of Health Psychology Update, which serves as a forum for discussion of issues related to the scientific analysis of psychological processes of health, illness and health care and the development of professional skills in research, practice, consultancy and teaching/training.

There are three categories of membership: Full, Affiliate and Corresponding.
Resources

Visit the DHP Website www.health-psychology.org.uk