In this introduction course on Health and Health Behaviour you will learn about the fundamentals of health psychology. What role does our behaviour, our cognitions and emotions, and our environment play in our health status?
We’ll start with unraveling health behavior, and quite quickly put this knowledge in the perspective of health care and dealing with illness. We’ll look at what is needed for people to cope with a disease and to keep up their quality of life as good as possible. How people can be optimally supported in their healthcare process, creating a collaboration between care providers and patients. Lastly we will see how all these pieces of a puzzle can be used in creating actual interventions in healthcare and what is essential to disseminate them in healthcare practice.
By following this course you'll get a better understanding of why we behave as we do and how this knowledge can be optimally used to improve health care!
Welcome to the course Population Health: Health and health behaviour! In this module you will get to know what the scope of this course is and you will learn how to be successful at online studying.
What's included
2 videos2 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 4 minutes
Welcome to Health and health behaviour•2 minutes
How to succeed in your online class?•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
About this Course•10 minutes
Glossary•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
Nice to meet you•15 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
Discover The World at Leiden University [video]•2 minutes
Understanding health behaviour
Module 2•7 hours to complete
Module details
In this module we are aiming to find out how health behaviour works. We’ll address theory to unravel health behaviour and look at models that help us explain and change health behaviour. You will also apply this to yourself. In the assignments, you will look at your own health behaviour, using theory to explain it and will decide on determinants you could intervene upon. So, at the end of this module you might have been inspired to make an actual behaviour change!
What's included
5 videos1 reading5 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 38 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Why do we do what we do?•5 minutes
It's not as simple as it looks•6 minutes
How to select a winning team?•5 minutes
Meet the expert: Dr. Winnie Gebhardt•19 minutes
1 reading•Total 120 minutes
Behaviour change in practice•120 minutes
5 assignments•Total 250 minutes
Health behaviour in your daily life•20 minutes
Using models to explain your health behaviour•25 minutes
Plot your determinants•15 minutes
Reflect on your goals•10 minutes
Test your knowledge•180 minutes
Understanding health behaviour in the context of illness
Module 3•7 hours to complete
Module details
Dealing with a health condition often has a large impact on a person’s daily life. This impact will be the topic of this module. We’ll address the broad range of life domains that a (chronic) condition has an effect on and what it takes to self-manage a health condition. Also, we’ll look at what contextual factors play a role in coping and self-management of a health condition and how this may change over time. In the assignments, you will look into the impact that a disease has on a patient's life, discuss this with someone in your own environment and will use the addressed theory to reflect on that.
What's included
5 videos1 reading4 assignments1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 39 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
The impact of illness on quality of life•10 minutes
What is self-management?•8 minutes
What influences disease self-management?•8 minutes
Meet the expert: Dr. Sasja Huisman•12 minutes
1 reading•Total 45 minutes
Modelling factors that influence the impact of illness•45 minutes
4 assignments•Total 270 minutes
The impact of illness on quality of life: a case example•40 minutes
Applying the stress-coping model to a real-life example•90 minutes
Empowering patients
Module 4•10 hours to complete
Module details
In this module we dive into patient-centered care; what it encompasses and how it can be optimalised. You’ll gain insight into strategies and interventions regarding patient empowerment, and we discuss how these can be employed taking risk factors, resilience and (life) goals into account. In the assignments, you will reflect on strategies for motivational interviewing, see how a decision aid works for you and discuss the feasibility of digital tools on a worldwide level.
Putting patients in the center of care: The chronic care model•120 minutes
Shared decision making and motivational interviewing•40 minutes
What is eHealth?•20 minutes
5 assignments•Total 310 minutes
Motivational interviewing•40 minutes
Working with decision aids•40 minutes
E-health worldwide•40 minutes
Reflect on your goals•10 minutes
Test your knowledge•180 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 40 minutes
eHealth in clinical practice•40 minutes
From theory to intervention
Module 5•12 hours to complete
Module details
In the previous modules we discussed theory and methods to enhance health behavior in order to increase quality of life and improve health care. In this module we’ll set out six steps on how to develop, implement and evaluate theory-based interventions in health care, in order to apply theory into clinical practice. In the assignments, you will use this theory and some scientific papers to briefly go through all the steps of intervention planning yourself.
Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge and prepares them for careers both within and outside of academia. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575. Our motto is: Praesidium Libertatis (Bastion of Liberty) - Freedom of spirit, thought and expression. Leiden University has a campus in Leiden and The Hague, with 7 faculties, 47 Bachelor Programmes, 79 Master Programmes and nearly 30,000 students.
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.1
36 reviews
5 stars
52.77%
4 stars
25%
3 stars
5.55%
2 stars
8.33%
1 star
8.33%
Showing 3 of 36
N
NJ
5·
Reviewed on Jun 2, 2019
Interesting course. I found the modules on illness, self-management and eHealth particularly helpful and engaging. My thanks to the educators and course organisers.
N
NH
5·
Reviewed on Feb 17, 2025
Really Good Course, yet the final asessment was super difficult.
N
NQ
4·
Reviewed on Jan 3, 2020
An excellent course. Very difficult final assessment.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.