The Division of Health Behavior Research provides clinical services in the areas of education, implementation of health promotion interventions, counseling, and support.
The Division implements small group interventions that address various health behaviors. The Division is also involved in community based interventions for patient education and health risk reduction, and provides adherence counseling and adherence interventions. The Division provides general patient education regarding various chronic diseases, including asthma, cancer, diabetes, and HIV. The Division provides psychosocial services for support of patients and their families. These services include individual counseling for emotional adjustment to disease, family counseling, and facilitation of support groups for patients and family members.
As part of its role in the Prevention and Control Activities of The Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, the Division provides psychosocial services to cancer patients and their families. Some patients who are diagnosed with cancer and seen at a multidisciplinary clinic are routinely seen by a psychologist as part of their initial appointment. This is in keeping with the view that experiencing psychological distress is a normal reaction to the abnormal condition of being diagnosed with cancer. Other patients may see a psychologist in conjunction with routine assessment or treatment visits. Patients may also be referred for specific consultation around a particular issue or concern. Patients are educated about the normal range of emotions they may experience in response to cancer diagnosis and treatment. They are also made aware of the information and supportive resources available, and are encouraged to use those resources. Supportive services are coordinated with representatives of Nursing, Social Work and Spiritual Care, and include participation in support groups, individual counseling, marital and family counseling, and referral to other services available in the community. These services have been offered to patients of the Breast Health Center since 1997, and are currently being expanded to include patients with Head and Neck cancers, and Gastrointestinal/Colorectal cancers.
The Division of Health Behavior Research provides clinical services in the areas of education, implementation of health promotion interventions, counseling, and support.
The Division implements small group interventions that address various health behaviors. The Division is also involved in community based interventions for patient education and health risk reduction, and provides adherence counseling and adherence interventions. The Division provides general patient education regarding various chronic diseases, including asthma, cancer, diabetes, and HIV. The Division provides psychosocial services for support of patients and their families. These services include individual counseling for emotional adjustment to disease, family counseling, and facilitation of support groups for patients and family members.
As part of its role in the Prevention and Control Activities of The Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, the Division provides psychosocial services to cancer patients and their families. Some patients who are diagnosed with cancer and seen at a multidisciplinary clinic are routinely seen by a psychologist as part of their initial appointment. This is in keeping with the view that experiencing psychological distress is a normal reaction to the abnormal condition of being diagnosed with cancer. Other patients may see a psychologist in conjunction with routine assessment or treatment visits. Patients may also be referred for specific consultation around a particular issue or concern. Patients are educated about the normal range of emotions they may experience in response to cancer diagnosis and treatment. They are also made aware of the information and supportive resources available, and are encouraged to use those resources. Supportive services are coordinated with representatives of Nursing, Social Work and Spiritual Care, and include participation in support groups, individual counseling, marital and family counseling, and referral to other services available in the community. These services have been offered to patients of the Breast Health Center since 1997, and are currently being expanded to include patients with Head and Neck cancers, and Gastrointestinal/Colorectal cancers.