UM2020: critically examines a chronic illness through the lens of the bio-psycho-social model: Biology Assignment, UCL, UK

Assignment brief
Write a 3000-word (+/- 10%) research report that critically examines a chronic illness through the lens of the bio-psycho-social model. Full details are outlined in the table below. The report must include all four sections outlined below.

Section 1: Background & Epidemiology

Describe the clinical background of the chronic condition in lay terms. The background should include a description of condition including symptoms and risk factors; classification (if appropriate); diagnosis; treatment and management.

Present epidemiological data of selected chronic condition, providing national prevalence and incidence rates.

Section 2: Sociology

Using peer-reviewed research, examine the condition through a sociological lens. You may focus on one or both of the following:
Evidence of social determinants and how these social factors have an impact on the selected condition.

The impact of the condition on a person’s lived experience in the social world. For example, how the condition affects their sense of self, relationships with others, opportunities, and/or life chances.

Section 3: Behavioural Interventions

Analyse and evaluate evidence for a behavioural intervention that will help your patient group manage their chronic condition. This can be an intervention that is applied at individual or population level.

To get started on this section, there are 4 key things to do:
Identify a modifiable health behaviour or psychological state that will help your patient group manage their long-term condition. Health behaviours include changes to diet, physical activity, sleep patterns, alcohol consumption, and so on. Psychological states include depression and anxiety.

• Using relevant guidelines, identify a behavioural intervention that will help your patient group make this change.
• Identify your patient group.
• Critically appraise peer-reviewed literature on the selected intervention with reference to the hierarchy of evidence

When writing the section, you should include the following:

• Clearly identify and briefly justify the modifiable behaviour/psychological state you have selected.
• Clearly identify the intervention selected.
• Analyse and evaluate the peer-reviewed evidence for the effectiveness of the intervention. As part of this, you should:
• Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence with reference to the hierarchy of evidence.
• Compare and contrast the strengths and limitations of your chosen intervention which might include a consideration of different interventions and/or evidence highlighted in section 2.

Section 4: Conclusion Academic writing and referencing

With reference to sections 1, 2, and 3, write a conclusion that critically reflects on how the biopsychosocial model can be integrated into your future clinical practice.

Ensure the report is written in a logical and coherent manner throughout, with correct grammar and punctuation, and that all referencing is complete and accurately formatted.