Deck 4: Health Psychology Within the Health-Care System

Question 1

The approach health professionals take in caring for patients is largely shaped by ________.

A) the health system
B) patients' needs
C) doctors' specialties
D) popular opinion

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In the US, the reforms introduced through the Affordable Care Act of 2010 focused on regulating ________.

A) the Beveridge system
B) Medicare
C) public health insurance
D) private health insurance

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The ________ model best describes the health care system of Canada.

A) private health insurance
B) social health insurance
C) national health system
D) mixed system

Answer 3

C

Question 4

________ of funding for the Canadian health care system comes from ________.

A) 50 per cent; general taxation
B) 100 per cent; general taxation
C) 100 per cent; employers
D) 50 per cent; employers

Question 5

According to the Canadian health care system, psychological care ________ considered medically necessary and is covered by the system ________.

A) is; with no exceptions
B) is not; with some exceptions (through hospitals and/or schools)
C) is; at the 50 per cent level
D) is not; with an annual cap per person

Question 6

Medicare is the American government's health-care program aimed at providing uniform coverage to ________.

A) children
B) people below a certain income level
C) people over age 65
D) people without private coverage

Question 7

The Canadian health care system currently delegates the management of most services to ________.

A) health maintenance organizations
B) health care workers' professional societies
C) regional health authorities
D) employers

Question 8

The only exceptions to the delegation of management to regional health authorities are ________, which are directly overseen by provincial ministries of health.

A) psychological services and prescription drugs
B) psychological services and physician payments
C) physician payments and prescription drugs
D) dental plans and prescription drugs

Question 9

In Canada, primary care is not typically received from ________

A) physicians
B) psychologists
C) physicians' assistants
D) nurses

Question 10

In the US, licensed psychologists can access reimbursement for services provided to patients with ________.

A) chronic illnesses
B) psychiatric conditions
C) non-psychiatric conditions
D) acute illnesses

Question 11

Secondary care refers to health care that ________.

A) typically follows a referral
B) covers non-life-threatening conditions
C) covers non-specialized services
D) focuses on prevention

Question 12

________ is specialized care that is often delivered in a teaching hospital or academic health centre.

A) Primary care
B) Secondary care
C) Tertiary care
D) Acute care

Question 13

Compared to Americans, Canadians ________.

A) enjoy an overall better health status
B) spend more on health care
C) use health information technology more intensively
D) use more CT, MRI, and PET technology

Question 14

The following statement is true in Canada: ________.

A) Men seek medical treatment more often than women
B) Older people seek medical treatment less often than youth
C) Socio-economic status is not related to hospital use
D) Ethnic minorities seek medical treatment more often than Whites

Question 15

Undertreatment of psychological disorders occurs because of ________.

A) inadequate access to appropriately trained mental health providers
B) mobility difficulties
C) a focus on the unexplained medical symptoms
D) P all of the above

Question 16

Patients typically delay seeking medical attention within health care systems based on private insurance due to ________.

A) long waiting times
B) high user fees associated with care
C) modest user fees associated with care
D) concerns about social stigma

Question 17

Patients typically delay seeking medical attention within national health care systems due to ________.

A) long waiting times
B) high user fees associated with care
C) modest user fees associated with care
D) concerns about social stigma

Question 18

In the case of myocardial infarction, ________ is associated with seeking medical care quickly.

A) living farther from care
B) being of older age
C) anxiety
D) a history of angina

Question 19

________ is not common strategy that psychologists use with patients who are at risk of treatment delay.

A) Encouraging the use of a symptom diary
B) Waiting until the patient's condition has worsened
C) Reviewing the patient's knowledge and awareness of symptoms
D) Encouraging the discussion of symptoms with significant others

Question 20

________ is not effective in terms of promoting patient adherence with medical recommendations.

A) Making a broad, forceful request to comply
B) Providing detailed information about medical conditions and care
C) Discussing the patient's motivations
D) Examining barriers to compliance

Question 21

The first step of the information-motivation-strategy model of improving patient adherence encourages health-care professionals to ________.

A) examine the barriers that may interfere with adherence to treatment recommendations
B) address patient motivation
C) focus on providing patients with information
D) examine the strategies patients use to adhere to treatment recommendations

Question 22

Patients who are not satisfied with their physicians are less likely to ________.

A) seek a second medical opinion
B) reduce compliance with medical recommendations
C) end up costing more to the health care system
D) maintain compliance with treatment protocols

Question 23

________ is the single most important factor in patient satisfaction with his/her physician.

A) Providing sufficient information
B) Previous success with the same patient
C) The impression of listening to the patient
D) Expression of sympathy

Question 24

________ is/are related to greater patient satisfaction.

A) Doctor-centred care
B) Effective communication on the part of health care providers
C) Being in poor health
D) Quick and brief medical appointments

Question 25

Studies have shown that providing psychological services to patients ________ by approximately 20 to 30 per cent.

A) increases their subsequent use of other health-care services
B) reduces their subsequent use of other health-care services
C) reduces the acute symptoms of their conditions
D) increases the acute symptoms of their conditions

Question 26

Briefly outline and discuss the functions of any health system.

Question 27

Describe a psychological health condition that leads to higher health expenditures as well as the causal link between the two events. Also discuss how a health psychology intervention could reduce overall expenses.

Question 28

Discuss three directions of future research in the field of health psychology with specific reference to the health system.

Question 29

Briefly discuss one example of a common medical condition for which patients often seek help after substantial delays, thus worsening the prognosis and increasing overall costs.

Question 30

Discuss the psychological factors that affect compliance with medical recommendations as well as ways to address this problem.

Question 31

Describe the three-pronged approach of the information-motivation-strategy model in improving patient adherence to medical recommendations.

Question 32

Briefly outline and discuss the social factors that affect compliance with medical recommendations as well as ways to address this problem.

Question 33

Outline the three areas in which the intervention of health psychologists has been particularly effective.

Question 34

Identify the two instances when the cost offset for behavioural interventions is greatest.

Question 35

Briefly outline three advantages of the national health system for the end user, compared to other health systems.

Question 36

Discuss the different types and levels of health care as well as the role played by health psychologists at each level.

Question 37

Discuss three of the demographic and psycho-social factors that influence the decision by patients to delay seeking medical help for myocardial infarction, and how health psychologists could help in reducing such delays.

Question 38

Provide two examples of the concept of "stewardship" in the context of the health-care system discussion and within your own personal experience.

Question 39

Males in the UK have approximately half the risk of dying of road accidents compared to Canadian males. Based on what you have learned so far, outline the ways in which health psychologists could mitigate this problem in Canada.

Question 40

Canada has more than twice as many deaths from ischemic heart disease as France. Based on what you have learned so far, outline the ways in which health psychologists could mitigate this problem in Canada.