Final answer:
A health psychologist in a hospital collaborates with the healthcare team including physicians and nurses, discusses policies with hospital administrators, and deals with issues such as the cost-benefit balance of treatments, patient quality of life, and privacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a health psychologist works in a hospital, they should communicate with the entire healthcare team regarding issues and overall treatment of a patient. This team typically includes physicians, nurses, and social workers. They also need to work closely with hospital administrators to discuss policies relevant to patient care.
Addressing concerns means asking critical questions such as: 'How can we balance the cost of treatments with patient quality of life?', 'What are the implications of treatment options for a patient's privacy?', and 'How do we ensure that healthcare workers are not overwhelmed, to the detriment of patient care?'
The growing concern over mental health, especially noted in the student population's inability to get timely appointments, highlights the necessity for hospitals and educational institutions to hire more healthcare workers.
In particular, health psychologists can play a pivotal role by providing counseling services and designing interventions that target both individual and community health.
Furthermore, health psychologists should employ strategies such as Theatre in Health Education to help medical professionals improve their bedside manner. An understanding of the dynamics within the medical team, including the authority gradients between doctors and nurses, and the complexity of medical problem-solving and solutions, are also crucial aspects for a health psychologist consulting in a hospital setting.
Finally, respecting and handling health records with confidentiality is paramount to maintaining patient trust and upholding the standards of healthcare.