This course provides an overview of fundamental conceptual and methodologic issues in psychosomatic medicine and will create additional structure and support for graduate student research. Psychosomatic medicine is defined broadly in this context and includes problems arising at the interface of biology, psychology and culture, often subsumed under such titles as health psychology, psychosomatic medicine, neuropsychiatry and medical psychiatry.
Emphasis is on assisting students in developing, executing, and interpreting their research.
Introductory presentations by the director and other UofT faculty will focus on fundamental theoretical and methodologic issues. Topics will include theory development, hypothesis-testing, experimental design, measurement, and statistical treatment of data. Critical evaluation of research will be emphasised. Most sessions will involve student presentations outlining their research projects in Psychosomatic Medicine. Students are encouraged to focus presentations on the specific issues and problems with which they are currently grappling so that others can participate in, and contribute to, the problem-solving process.