As our lecture and readings highlight, the past few decades have been characterized by a “shift” in our understanding of health and disease. Health outcomes and chronic disease processes thought to be solely caused by specific, identifiable causes (biomedical model) are now being viewed as resulting from a series of factors within a broader model of health, the biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977).
The current literature appears to reflect this increased understanding of the psychological and social factors that are prominent in the onset and course of many chronic medical conditions. In addition, there appears to be an eagerness to understand the cultural aspects of health and health-seeking behaviors that play a role in patients’ choice and adherence to treatments.
What are your views on this “shift” in thought process? Did you acquire any new-found knowledge as a result of reading these book chapters and articles, or does this model appear to be so integrated in your life and thought process that it seems like ‘common sense’? Do you feel like any prior educational or professional experiences have aided you in understanding the biopsychosocial model?
Please make reference to specific passages/sections within our readings that caught your attention and apply to your views as expressed in your post; there is no need to provide and APA style reference for these readings, but please point us in the right direction by specifying the text chapter or article and page number.
