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BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL VS. BIOMEDICAL MODEL

Biopsychosocial vs. Biomedical Model Grand Canyon University: PSY-352 January 27, 2019

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Biopsychosocial vs. Biomedical Model In an environment plagued by ailment and infection, one must learn to combat these obstacles, to live among disease but seldom with it. As the meanings associated with health continue to evolve, approaches to health practices multiply to involve new perspectives. Of these perspectives are the biomedical and biopsychosocial models. The biomedical model perceives health as the absence of physiological impairment, in comparison, the biopsychosocial model recognizes health not only as physiological disability but also considers psychological and social hindrances. This paper will seek to understand the biopsychosocial and biomedical models for health, analyzing their convictions to assess their advantages and detriments when used in treating various ailments as well as in research. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of both models will be addressed to provide full analyses of each. Biomedical Model Assumptions The biomedical model views health through the lens of physiological wellness and functionality, focused on organic malfunctions and the physical aspects of disease and injury. Illness is explained in the form of measurable biological variables, neglecting psychological and social influences in regard to wellness (Farre & Rapley, 2017). In spite of its narrowmindedness, the biomedical model has contributed considerably to research in health and medical fields. Leading Causes of Death and the Biomedical Model Since the biomedical model views maladies through the lens of physiology, disregarding psychological and social influences as sources of ailment, chronic physiological diseases with physical symptoms frequently utilize this model in treatment and diagnoses. Because of its moderately conservative perspective, practitioners of the biomedical model seek out a single

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abnormality serving as the source of illness or injury; thus, the removal or reparation of such abnormality would repair any physiological impairment (Halligan & Wade, 2005). The Biomedical Model and Research The use of the biomedical model has also allowed researchers the ability to progress substantially in the fields of health and medicine. Research revolves around the ability to restore physiological health, creating vaccines, antibiotics, and various treatments all for physical betterment (Halligan & Wade, 2005). Despite the model’s noted advancements, it focuses only on the physiological component of health, completely neglecting psychological and environmental factors which provide a more individualized approach, integrating a number of different methods that could impart much more meaningful improvements (Gentry, Snyder, Barstow, & Hamson-Utley, 2018), the neglect of such influences generates inaccurate findings. Care Provider Focus During Assessment In the biomedical model, the immediate concern of a physician is the identification of the origin of a patient’s discomfort, seeking to diagnose whatever abnormality is impeding natural functions, this could include the use of physical examinations or x-rays to distinguish the physiological origin of any illness or injury (Halligan & Wade, 2005). With the focus of this model on biological wellness, there is no room to explore psychological and environmental influences in the generation and treatment of disease. Strengths and Drawbacks of the Biomedical Model Because of the model’s emphasis on physiology, it encourages research into the causes of illnesses. From this assumption came a plethora of advancements; vaccines and antibiotics were results of the utilization of the biomedical model (Caltabiano, 2008, p.29). Significant discoveries have been made all for the development of healthcare, however, because of the

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biomedical model’s narrowminded approach, it fails to address psychological diseases, that, perhaps, may not have any measurable physical symptoms. The neglect of these influences leaves many questions unanswered and many issues unsolved out of parochialism. Biopsychosocial Model Assumptions The biopsychosocial model encompasses the same physiological aspect as the biomedical model, but with the inclusion of psychological and social factors. It was introduced with the assumption that all three factors contribute to a patient’s health in ways that are otherwise inaccessible through the biomedical model (Engel, 1980). This model provides a more holistic approach that was otherwise unheard of in the field of health and wellness. Leading Causes of Death and the Biopsychosocial Model The very origination of the biopsychosocial model came out of the need to step away from the reductionist nature of the biomedical model in favor of a cross-disciplinary approach. Because of this, psychological factors have been incorporated into medical treatment to promote recovery thorough behavioral and environmental modifications (Gentry et al. 2018). In addition, the biopsychosocial model would view the leading causes of death in relation to psychological and environmental influences. Medical practitioners would be careful to monitor a patient’s stress levels, sleep habits, and social interactions as underlying sources of physiological distress. Chronic headaches could be attributed to malnourishment resulting from increased anxiety; persisting fatigue could be associated with depression as the result of poor social interactions and feelings of loneliness. Conditions of these sort, with ties back to psychological and environmental influences, would favor the holistic nature of the biopsychosocial model.

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The Biopsychosocial Model and Research In spite of the biomedical model’s many contributions to medical research, the integrative approach of the biopsychosocial model lends itself more readily to research because of its ability to address multiple influences and their implications on health (Engel, 1980). In comparison, the biomedical model, with its conservative views and implications, is unable to provide the holistic information available with the biopsychosocial model. Care Provider Focus During Assessment The focus of treatment when applying the biopsychosocial model would be successfully diagnosing a patient biologically, psychologically, and socially. This allows care providers to address a much broader range of symptoms otherwise unresolved through the biomedical model. Treatment would supplement traditional physiological care through behavior modification strategies and by adjusting a patient’s environment to encourage healing. Behavior modifications are aimed at targeting cases of anxiety and depression to improve a patient’s sleep, nutrition, motivation, and self-awareness towards facilitating more productive adherence habits aimed at rehabilitation. Adjustments to a patient’s environment may include identifying sources of support, such as friends, family, and support groups, as well as removing any obstacles that may inhibit rehabilitation (Gentry et al., 2018). The biopsychosocial model is able to provide everything present in the biomedical model, supplemented by the holistic approach or additional psychological and environmental care. Strengths and Drawbacks of the Biopsychosocial Model The biopsychosocial model successfully incorporates all factors of a patient’s diagnosis, allowing for multiple perspectives during treatment. This broadens the understanding of a patient’s needs, curing a disease through the combination of many approaches. In spite of these

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strengths, the model does have its shortcomings. The abstract nature of the model makes it difficult to define, preventing it from being empirically tested, and the model lacks accompanying criteria that would assist health professionals with its application, (Ferrer & Rapley, 2017). The complexity of the model hinders it from being truly effective despite its advantages. Conclusion Both the biomedical and biopsychosocial models for health are able to provide unique perspectives in regard to the nature of wellness in spite of their conflicting beliefs. Leading causes of death influence which model is used because of these distinct convictions. They hold individual beliefs, lending themselves in different ways to research and healthcare. Because of their different assumptions, the models approach disease and diagnoses completely differently in how they are treated as well as how they are analyzed. Both the biomedical and biopsychosocial models, with their strengths and weaknesses, allow insight, providing a better understanding of the foundation of illness and its treatment.

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL VS. BIOMEDICAL MODEL References Caltabiano, M. L. (2008). Health psychology: biopsychosocial interactions (9th ed.). Milton: John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd. Engel, G. L. (1980). The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. American Journal of Psychiatry, 137(5), 535–544. doi: 10.1176/ajp.137.5.535 Farre, A., & Rapley, T. (2017). The new old (and old new) medical model: Four decades navigating the biomedical and psychosocial understandings of health and illness. Healthcare, 5(4), 88. doi:http://dx.doi.org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/healthcare5040088 Gentry, K., Snyder, K., Barstow, B., & Hamson-Utley, J. (2018). The Biopsychosocial Model: Application to Occupational Therapy Practice. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 6(4). doi: 10.15453/2168-6408.1412 Halligan, P. W., & Wade, D. T. (2005, January). Do biomedical models of illness make for good healthcare systems? Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8135718_Do_Biomedical_Models_Of_Illness_ Make_For_Good_Healthcare_Systems

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