Physiotherapy: A Psychosocial Approach provides a variety of topics in the fields of sociology and psychology. This book examines the changing role of physiotherapists as their work shifts from hospital to community settings and as more work with patients and clients who have learning difficulties or are mentally ill.
Organized into 28 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the concepts of complex social prevention in place of medical prevention. This text then the social disadvantages and stress that women experience in terms of low status, low paid employment and their additional responsibilities of childcare and housework, which may also help to explain their high incidence of mental illness. Other chapters consider the marked regional variations in the incidence of disease. The final chapter deals with the sociological and psychological issues of disabled people.
This book is a valuable resource for physiotherapy students, sociologists, social psychologists, and practicing physiotherapists.

List of ContributorsPreface1. Society and the Changing Nature of Illness and Disease2. Inequalities in Health3. Sex, Gender and Health Care4. Ethnicity, Health and Health Care5. Ageism6. Institutional or Community Living?7. Ethical Decision-Making in Physiotherapy8. Communication in Physiotherapy Practice (1)9. Communication in Physiotherapy Practice (2)10. Clinical Interviewing11. The Psychology and Sociology of Pain12. Why do People Become Patients?13. Stress: Its Relation to Illness, Hospitalization and Work14. Health, Health Education and Physiotherapy Practice15. Defining Disability-Its Implications for Physiotherapy Practice16. Death, Dying and Bereavement17. Lay Beliefs About Health and Illness18. Psychological Development of the Child: Its Implications for Physiotherapy Practice19. Growing Older: Changes in Mental Performance20. Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Setting21. Psychological Aspects of Sports Injuries and Overtraining22. Addiction23. Psychophysiological and Somatoform Disorders24. Cognitive and Perceptual Deficits Following Brain Damage25. The Powerful Placebo26. Counselling27. Psychological Treatment in Physiotherapy Practice28. Disability: Some Psychological and Sociological IssuesIndex