University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2010-2011Last update : 11/04/2011
SANT0110-2  Psycho-social Dimensions of Health
Duration :  17h Th
Credits/ECTS :  
Bachelor in biomedical sciences, 1st yearFirst semester2
Bachelor in dental sciences, 1st yearFirst semester2
Bachelor in medicine, 1st yearFirst semester2
Bachelor in pharmaceutical sciences, 1st yearFirst semester2
Holder(s) :  Laurence Counet, Philippe Mairiaux
Language :  French language
Course contents :  The course deals with the following aspects :

  • the Belgian health system and the role of health professions : introduction to some basic concepts in health economics ;
  • the history of medical practice: general outline with a view to highlighting the historical roots of some present-day currents of thought ;
  • basic concepts (health, disease, healthy vs. unhealthy...): critical review of such concepts' meanings and discussion of three fundamental dimensions of disease (physical, cultural and social viewpoints) ;
  • sociological analysis of the role of disease and medical professions in society; Parsons, Freidson, Becker and Goffman's models ;
  • social health gradients: nature, extent, evolution and explanatory hypotheses for understanding the persistence of inequalities in view of disease and death despite medical progress ;
  • a look at the day to day reality of professional practice in medical sciences : contributions of other Faculty members (general practitioners, specialists, pharmacists,...)
Course objective :  The course generally aims at eliciting thinking about the purposes of medical sciences as well as the very concept of health and its implications on the role of health professionals.
Specific objectives:

  • understanding the explicit and implicit roles our society imposes on medical sciences;
  • initiation to the biopsychosocial model of health
  • understanding of the major health determinants.
Workshops :  A test session is organised during which students have the possibility to answer multiple choice questions using electronic voting devices
Organization :  The course involves 11 lessons of 1h 30 duration (pause not included).
Written notes :  Lecture notes: one volume available at the InterCopy copy shop on Sart Tilman (price : 9 euros).
Reference works and recommended reading :
  • Adam Ph. & Herzlich C. (1994) Sociologie de la maladie et de la médecine. Nathan Université nr. 69.
  • Evans R.G., Barer M.L., Marmor T.R. (1996) Etre ou ne pas être en bonne santé. John Libbey Eurotext, Paris.
  • Leclerc A. et coll. (2000) Les inégalités sociales de santé INSERM La Découverte Ed, Paris.
  • Malherbe J.F. (1997) Pour une éthique de la médecine, collection Catalyses, ARTES-FIDES, 3rd edition.
Assessment :  Written multiple-choice test with certainty indexes. (with the SMART technical support)
Contacts :  Philippe MAIRIAUX, Junior Lecturer Occupational Health and Health Education School of Public Health, Sart Tilman B23, B-4000 Liège Email: ph.mairiaux@ulg.ac.be

Secretary: Mrs C. ESCHWEILER Phone: 04 366 25 03 - fax: 04 366 28 89 Email: stes@ulg.ac.be


imageHome
imageSearch by Faculty
imageSearch by teacher
imageSearch by course code and title

Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs - Contact : Monique Marcourt, General Director for Education and Training - Developed by SEGI