Biopsychosocial model

The Biopsychosocial Model is an interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. The model specifically examines how these aspects play a role in topics ranging from health and disease models to human development. This model was developed by George L. Engel in 1977 and is the first of its kind to employ this type of multifaceted thinking. The Biopsychosocial Model has received criticism about its limitations, but continues to carry influence in the fields of psychology, health, medicine, and human development. The Biopsychosocial Model is an interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. The model specifically examines how these aspects play a role in topics ranging from health and disease models to human development. This model was developed by George L. Engel in 1977 and is the first of its kind to employ this type of multifaceted thinking. The Biopsychosocial Model has received criticism about its limitations, but continues to carry influence in the fields of psychology, health, medicine, and human development. The biopsychosocial model was first proposed by George L. Engel and Jon Romano of Rochester University in 1977. As opposed to the biomedical approach, Engel strived for a more holistic approach by recognizing that each patient has his or her own thoughts, feelings, and history. In developing the model, Engel framed this model for both illnesses and psychological problems.The biopsychosocial model reflects the development of illness through the complex interaction of biological factors (genetic, biochemical, etc.), psychological factors (mood, personality, behavior, etc.) and social factors (cultural, familial, socioeconomic, medical, etc.). For example, a person may have a genetic predisposition for depression, but he or she must have social factors such as extreme stress at work and family life and psychological factors such as a perfectionistic tendencies which all trigger this genetic code for depression. A person may have a genetic predisposition for a disease, but social and cognitive factors must trigger the illness.Specifically, Engel revolutionized medical thinking by re-proposing a separation of body and mind. The idea of dualism goes back to Rene Descartes, but was forgotten during the biomedical approach. Engel emphasized that the biomedical approach is flawed because the body alone does not contribute to illness. Instead, the individual mind (psychological and social factors) plays a significant role in how a illness is caused and how it is treated. Engel proposes a dialogue between the patient and the doctor in order to find the most effective treatment solution.Similarly, materialistic and reductionist ideas proposed with the biomedical model are flawed because they cannot be verified on a cellular level (according to Engel). Instead, the proposed model focuses on the research of past psychologists such as Urie Bronfenbrenner, popularized by his belief that social factors play a role in developing illnesses and behaviors. Simply, Engel used Bronfenbrenner’s research as a column of his biopsychosocial model and framed this model to display health at the center of social, psychological, and biological aspects.After Engel’s publication, the biopsychosocial model was adopted by the World Health Organization as a basis for the International Classification of Function (ICF). Twenty-five years after Engel’s publication, the biopsychosocial model is still widely used as a psychological model. The biological, psychological, and social categories have expanded into bigger categories: specifically, the social aspect has greatly expanded through ideas such as spirituality and culture. Even though many psychologists may not completely accept this model as their own, it is known for interconnecting three important categories. Even if all aspects do not apply to the situation, the biopsychosocial model is widely used to organize one’s thoughts. It shows that a person’s problems are all connected, and they may be more complex than previously imagined. George L. Engel who originally developed the Biopsychosocial model is often considered a primary theorist associated with the model. Engel used this model to offer an alternative to the more readily used biomedical model of the time. Engel felt the biopsychosocial model allows physicians to better understand their patients' subjective view of their illness and suffering.