The Future of Psychology in Healthcare

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The future of psychology in healthcare is bright, and its potential is limitless.

Psychology has played an increasingly important role in healthcare over the past few decades. The field of psychology has advanced significantly since its early days, and its applications have become more diversified, impacting healthcare in ways that were previously unimaginable. The future of psychology in healthcare is bright, and its potential is limitless.

“Neither the mindless nor the brainless can be tolerated in medicine.”

Leon Eisenberg, one of the leading figures in psychiatry, emphasizes the importance of integrating the biomedical and psychosocial sciences in a way that helps us to understand how the brain and the mind works. Clinical psychology plays a vital part here and allows psychologists to better understand and treat their patients. One of the most significant contributions of psychology to healthcare is the development of evidence-based treatments for mental health disorders. Evidence-based treatments are those that have been rigorously tested in clinical trials and found to be effective in treating specific mental health conditions. Examples of evidence-based treatments include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.

The development of these treatments have revolutionised mental healthcare and have allowed clinicians to provide targeted and effective treatments to individuals suffering from mental health disorders. For example, research carried out by the University of Bristol found that when people who suffer with depression were given CBT, as well as the usual care they received such as antidepressants, it significantly reduced depression symptoms and improved quality of life in the long term (46 months on average) for patients where their depression had not responded to medication. These benefits continued to be found, on average, 40-months after they had finished Therapeutic or Psychological Support Interventions.

Over the long-term, 43% of patients had seen improvements, and they reported at least a 50% decrease in their depressive symptoms, compared to the 27% of people who continued with their usual care alone. Furthermore, the study found that this type of ‘high intensity’ CBT was also a cost-effective treatment from the health service’s perspective. This evidence suggests that there are clear benefits to investing in ‘high intensity’ CBT, both in terms of improved patient outcomes and cost savings for the health service.

Another area where psychology has had a significant impact on healthcare is in the prevention of chronic diseases. Psychological interventions have been shown to be effective in helping individuals make healthy lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Psychological interventions have also been shown to be effective in helping individuals manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. In 2016, many studies on psychological intervention for substance-based addictions were reviewed and the results of each study were compared. These studies collectively indicate that even when receiving low-intensity psychological intervention, compared to the controls receiving no psychological intervention, the people receiving treatment show some positive changes.

More importantly, it should be noted that research designs are essential to establish that a given psychological intervention does work. In other words, while a given psychological intervention may seem logical and effective, its universal clinical usage would only arrive after it has been proven to be effective through vigorous research. This leaves many opportunities for psychologists to carry out and apply research to develop this area of psychology.

In the future, psychology is expected to play an even greater role in healthcare. With the emerge of new technologies such as telemedicine, online therapy, and virtual reality, it is expected that psychological interventions will become more accessible and more personalized. Telemedicine in particular has the potential to revolutionize mental healthcare by providing remote access to mental health services to individuals who may not have access to such services in their local areas.

Finally, psychology is expected to play a significant role in the integration of mental and physical healthcare. Mental and physical health are inextricably linked and addressing one without addressing the other can lead to minimal end results. By integrating mental and physical healthcare, clinicians can provide more comprehensive care to individuals, which improves overall health outcomes and also reduces healthcare costs. The Mental Health Foundation states that physical health problems can increase the risk of developing mental health problems significantly, and the same goes for the other way around. Almost one in three people who have a long-term physical health condition also have a mental health problem, usually anxiety or depression.

The effect of poor mental health on physical health problems is thought to cost the NHS at least £8 billion a year. Exercise and a good diet are recommended to keep physically well, and there are reasons behind this. Firstly, aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, and dancing have been proven by research to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Secondly, studies comparing "traditional" diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese diet, to a typical "Western" diet, have shown that “traditional diets” tend to reduce depression risk by 25% to 35% compared to typical “Western” diets.

According to Scientists, this difference can be explained by the fact that these traditional diets tend to be rich in vegetables, fruits, and fish and seafood, and contain smaller amounts of lean meats and dairy. In addition, they also avoid processed and refined foods and sugars, which are very commonly found in the “Western” diets. It is important to note that many of these unprocessed foods are fermented, which act as natural probiotics. In conclusion, it is evident that diet and exercise have a positive effect on mental health. It is therefore important to consider the potential impacts of diet and exercise on mental health, and to make healthy choices.

In conclusion, the future of psychology in healthcare is promising. The field of psychology has already made significant contributions to mental and physical healthcare, and the continued development of new technologies and treatment modalities is expected to expand the impact of psychology even further. As healthcare continues to evolve, psychology will undoubtedly continue to play an important role in improving the health and well-being of individuals around the world.

BLOGGER – Isabelle Skaliotis

My name is Isabelle Skaliotis. I am a second-year undergraduate Psychology Student at the University of Liverpool. I am fascinated by how the brain works and gaining an understanding on theoretical concepts. I am keen on constantly finding new opportunities to seek experiences that will help broaden my knowledge on the mind and behaviour.