Biopsychosocial Model

Correct. [Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19 June - 22 July 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.]

The biopsychosocial model suggests that a person's health is determined by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social processes. This means that factors such as genetics, mental and emotional well-being, and social environment all play a role in determining a person's overall health. It recognizes that health is not solely determined by biological factors or the absence of disease, but rather a complex interplay of various factors.

The statement made by the National Aboriginal Health Organization emphasizes the inter-relationships between various aspects of being, such as physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional, which are all integral to individual and community health. This holistic perspective aligns with the biopsychosocial model, which also recognizes the interconnectedness of biological, psychological, and social factors in determining health outcomes. Both perspectives go beyond a narrow focus on purely physical or biomedical aspects and acknowledge the importance of considering the whole person and their social context in understanding and promoting health.

The biopsychosocial model is the best theory or model that can incorporate the statement "The interpersonal relationship between a patient and a health professional will affect the efficacy of a given treatment." This model takes into account the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence a person's health and well-being. It recognizes that a patient's relationship with their healthcare provider, including factors such as trust, communication, and empathy, can play a significant role in the success of a treatment. By considering the holistic aspects of a person's health, the biopsychosocial model emphasizes the importance of the patient-provider relationship in achieving positive treatment outcomes.

See: Jemmott, J.B., III, & Magliore, K. (1988). Academic stress, social support, and secretory immunoglobulin A. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55, 803-810.

The biopsychosocial model considers that a particular biochemical alteration does not always result in an illness. This means that even if there is a change in the biochemical makeup of an individual, it may not necessarily lead to the development of an illness. The model recognizes that various factors such as psychological and social factors also play a role in determining an individual's health. This is in contrast to the biomedical model, which primarily focuses on the biological aspects of illness and may overlook the influence of psychological and social factors.

During the early 20th century, the biomedical model incorporated Pasteur's germ theory of disease because infectious diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis were major causes of death. This theory helped in understanding that pathogens invade body cells and cause diseases, leading to the development of medical interventions to prevent and treat these infectious diseases. This was particularly relevant at that time due to the high mortality rates associated with these diseases and the need for effective healthcare strategies to combat them.

Bitton, A., Dobkin, P.L., Edwardes, M.D., Sewhich, M.J., Meddings, J.B., Rawal, S., et al. (2008) Predicting relapse in Crohn’s disease: a biopsychosocial model. Gut, 57.

The placebo effect poses a problem to the biomedical model because it challenges its ability to explain how a person's beliefs can impact the effectiveness of a treatment. The biomedical model focuses on the biological basis of diseases and treatments, but the placebo effect suggests that psychological factors can also play a role in healing. This raises questions about the comprehensive understanding of the biomedical model and its limitations in accounting for the mind-body connection in healthcare.

The reductionist viewpoint in the context of the biomedical model means that disease is believed to always have an underlying biological cause, such as a pathogen. This viewpoint suggests that health professionals primarily focus on investigating and treating the biological factors that contribute to physical, psychological, and social health. It implies that the complexity of disease can be simplified and understood by identifying and targeting the specific biological cause. This reductionist approach often overlooks the influence of other factors, such as psychological or social determinants of health, in the development and treatment of disease.

See Epstien, R.M., and Borrell-Carrio, F. (2005). The Biopsychosocial Model: Exploring Six Impossible Things. Families, Systems, & Health, 23(4), 426-431.

his example is from Engel, G.L. (1978). The biopsychosocial model and the education of health professionals. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 310, 169-181.

Watkins, P.L., Ward, C.H., Southard, D.R., Fisher E.B. Jr. (1992). The Type A Belief System: Relationships to Hostility, Social Support, and Life Stress. Behavioural Medicine, 18(1), 27-31.

The biopsychosocial model, developed by Engel, is based on systems theory. This means that it views health as a result of interactions between various systems. Option A correctly explains that these interactions can influence higher and lower systems, and that complexity theory can help understand their emergent properties on a person's health. Option B also accurately describes the model as a hierarchy of systems, where each system is part of a larger system and contains smaller subsystems. Option C, on the other hand, is incorrect as it suggests a linear cause-effect model, which contradicts the biopsychosocial approach. Therefore, the correct answer is that options A and B are true.

Suls, J. & Rothman, A. (2004). Evolution of the Biopsychosocial Model: Prospects and Challenges for Health Psychology. Health Psychology, 23(2), 119-125

Price, D.D., Chung, S.K., Robinson, M.E. (2005). Conditioning, Expectation, and Desire for Relief in Placebo Analgesia. Semin Pain Med. 3, 15-21.

The correct answer is that the statement assumes a false dichotomy; that competence in one area precludes competence in the other area. This means that the person is assuming that a physician cannot possess both up-to-date biomedical knowledge and an understanding of their psyche. However, it is possible for a physician to have expertise in both areas, as they are not mutually exclusive.

Covic, T., Adamson, B., Spencer, D., Howe, G. (2003). A biopsychosocial model of pain and depression in rheumatoid arthritis: a 12-month longitudinal study. Rheumatology, 42, 1287-1294

The question asks for components of a diagnosis of a Somatoform Disorder. The options provided are Experiential, Cognitive, Behavioural, and Biological. The correct answer is Biological because biological factors are not considered components of a diagnosis of a Somatoform Disorder. Somatoform Disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition, and the focus is on psychological and emotional factors rather than biological factors. Therefore, biological factors are not included in the diagnosis of a Somatoform Disorder.

Weiner, BK. (2008). The Biopsychosocial Model and Spine Care. Spine. 23(2), 219-223

This example is from Engel, G.L. (1978). The biopsychosocial model and the education of health professionals. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 310, 169-181.

E. W. M. Verhoeven et al. (2008). Acta Derm Venereol, 88, 211-218.