Behavioral Medicine: An Introduction

The present Book evaluates the state of science in behavioral medicine and offers perspectives on what is required to advance the field. The chapters collectively cover a diverse set of topics, which are examined in a sequence suggested by the broad section heading below. Developed as stand-alone documents, the chapters can be read in any order. Each chapter presents a number of findings and the previews below provide only favor of the full range of results. The role of health beliefs as well as illness cognitions are addressed in the context of writing the present book. Moreover, issues related to doctor-patient communication are discussed. Smoking and alcohol use, eating behavior, exercise, health screening, stress and illness, pain management, the role of psychology throughout the course of illness and finally the measurement of health status and quality of life are included.The readers of this Book mainly include researchers and health professionals who are engaged with the care of chronic disease patients e.g., physicians, nurses, psychologists etc. as well as students in the fields of medicine, nursing, psychology, or social work.