The biopsychosocial model of illness and health
The biopsychosocial model of illness and health implies that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors might impact an individual’s physical state. The model disputed the scientific supposition that treatment of disease and health were restricted only to biological aspects. Dr. George Engel, in 1977, contended that social and psychological factors should be deliberated in health assessment as they also impact biological functioning. Therefore, the ‘biopsychosocial model’ aims to progress approaches used in illness treatment while also transforming the conventional perception of the appropriate way to treat and assess illness and health held by the ‘medical model.’ The conversation between the social worker and the client, Mrs. McGuire, embraces Engel’s biopsychosocial model, which adds the social and psychological aspects to the medical or biological aspect of illness treatment.
The social worker applies a social factor in treating his patient, which comprises the cultural and social environment surrounding the patient and the peer groups and interpersonal relationships with family and friends. The social aspect assesses the patient’s socio-economic, cultural, and social environmental factors like problems at work, financial condition, and family issues.
The psychological aspect used in assessing the patient’s illness entails emotions, thoughts, and behaviors like beliefs, fear, mental stress, acknowledgment, and current coping tactics. This aspect goes deep into the patient’s feelings, which might be a catalyst for a contributing factor to a particular disease. Moreover, the assessment applies the biological/medical aspect, which comprises of the physiological pathology.
By merging all three aspects of the ‘biopsychosocial model,’ psychiatrists, physicians, and social workers acquire more modified data for examining a patient’s disease. The more extensive information spectrum permits a more prosperous treatment path while also monitoring execution and directing preventive care for post-treatment. This results in a more comprehensive and thorough treatment plan.