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Crystal Tai

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IS a product of emotions, social environment and personal beliefs and although some people overlook the connection, it is also closely related to health.

As one of the first programmes of its kind in Asia, the University of Hong Kong is offering a master's in social studies of behavioural health, giving students a chance to explore this complex subject and its many issues.

The two-year part-time programme was created especially for health-care practitioners and so far has attracted psychologists, general physicians, nurses and social workers.

Its aim is to teach both western and Oriental philosophies for the betterment of emotional and behavioural well-being at individual and community levels.

Ng Siu-man, HKU assistant professor and clinical co-ordinator for the programme, said by addressing health problems from a sociological or psychological perspective, 'we can determine different cures and ways to prevent them'.

He referred to a three-dimensional model launched by the World Health Organisation in 1948, which pioneered the view that good health is the result of biological, psychological and sociological factors.

'Disease profiles, however, have changed,' Mr Ng said. 'For example, the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases nowadays has to take into account different social values and attitudes.'

Then there is the added element of spiritual health. Mr Ng described this as the way we perceive the meaning of life, as well as the issue of living and dying, and noted it is getting increasing attention as a subject for formal study.

The programme's overall objective is to help students develop their own views on the three-dimensional model for health and the best ways to apply it. For this, they are expected to contribute evidence-based ideas and opinions about integrated practices for better health.

Registered psychologist Jimena Velasco used to focus more on mental health than she did on physical ailments.

'I didn't really think about the body,' she said.

'But two years ago, I started attending yoga lessons and realised that, for some people, exercising is the best way of getting through emotional problems.'

The programme helped her to put together concepts she had thought about before, but not fully understood. Furthermore, she was fascinated by the possibility of introducing concepts from Chinese medicine into counselling sessions.

For Kenneth Ho, a private general practitioner, the key thing was to learn how to improve the treatment of patients. He said it was often difficult to counsel patients with psychosomatic disorders, but that the master's course gave him new insights.

His job involves much contact with the terminally ill, and Mr Ho said that what he got most out of the course was how to manage bereavement.

'It showed how to integrate the three elements of behavioural health and even made me reconsider the meaning of life,' he said.

Selina Lo has been a practising social worker for more than 15 years. She works with the elderly, supervising community services that focus on home care, meal delivery, and nursing care programmes. Although she believes that a good diet is the first essential for good health, she also recognises that behaviour and attitudes play a big part.

In particular, the course taught her the importance of instilling a positive outlook when dealing with her clients.

'I have added self-affirming statements and inspirational quotes in our books about coping with arthritis,' she said.

'I hope this can help people to accept what happens [to them] with grace, and still live better lives.'

Ms Lo said although life expectancy rates were rising every year, chronic diseases were affecting people at a younger average age.

She said it was up to each person to take responsibility for his or her own health and fitness.

'To do so, we need a balance in body, mind and spirit,' she said.



Focus on behaviour and its links to health