Psychological Management of Physical Disabilities

Book excerpt: The successful integration of psychological factors into the management of physical disabilities is critical to successful health-care delivery. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to the best practice and approaches in this field. Paul Kennedy brings together contributions from a range of experienced researchers and practitioners, who explore the emotional, motivational and psychological factors associated with the rehabilitation and treatment of people with a range of physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury, stroke, and chronic pain. The book is divided into three sections, covering: the scope of psychological processes in physical rehabilitation psychological applications and practitioner perspectives general organizational challenges and developments. The Psychological Management of Physical Disabilities will be of great interest to all clinical psychologists, health psychologists, occupational therapists, counsellors, physiotherapists, physicians and rehabilitation nurses. Service providers know how important psychological factors are. This book explains why and how psychological models and research can support rehabilitation and improve individual well-being.