BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL OF DISEASE

Human Disease: Three Models

Medical Model

Epidemiological Model

Biopsychosocial Model

Human Disease

Medical Model

Emphasis on medical treatment You’re either healthy or you’re not.

Missing important dimensions of health Psychology and Social aspect are separate Address disease but may not consider

quality of life (QOL)

OECD Health Data

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2011

Medical Model continued

By medical model standards…. U.S. should have the best health and

longest life expectancy.

Picture source: onefoundation.org

Epidemiological Model

Host

AgentEnvironme

nt

Problems with disease models

Individuals

Picture Source: google images

Problems

Families

Picture source: Google images

Problems

Natural Disasters

Picture Source: Google images

Problems

Pollution

Picture Source: Google images

Problems

Poverty

Picture source: Google images

Problems

Picture source: Google images

Biopsychosocial Model

Health (and illness) are caused/influenced by many factors. Mind and body are not separate Relationships are significant to health

Health is on a continuum

Implications

Consider biological, psychological, and social factors

Relationships are significant to health Patient and doctor Patient and family, friends, others

Keep people healthy rather than wait to treat them when they become ill.

Challenges

Poverty as underlying issue Lack of resources, education

Behavior and/or lifestyle Misuse of antibiotics Gaps in immunizations Lack of access to healthcare New diseases and re-emerging strains

Biopsychosocial Model of Disease

Biology•Age, sex

•Disease state•Genetics/heredity

•Physical symptoms

•Meds/drugs/addiction

Psychology•Attitudes/beliefs

•Mood state•Behaviors•Religiosity/spirituality

Social•Support:

formal/informal•Roles:

work/family/peers•Physician-patient

relationship•Socioeconomic

status

Environment•School/work place

•Church•Social norms / cultural

norms•Community / Health

services•Neighborhoods / National

economy•Mass media•Policy / laws

Example: DiabetesBiology

•Diabetes•No family history

•Skin bumps, fuzzy vision, fatigue, burning feet, pruritis, erectile

dysfunction•Agent Orange

exposure

Psychology•“It’s always in the back of my mind”

•Guilt: can’t work as much

•Depression, stress•“I just miss eating

junk”

Social•Marriage suffering

•Doesn’t trust doctor (non-compliant)

•Boss did not promote

•Can’t play with grandkids

Environment•Healthcare at VA, has to

travel •Diabetes class offered•Fast food everywhere;

supersized portions•2nd hand smoke triggers

desire to smoke•Cultural norm –

embarrassed by weight•Gov’t will not compensate for agent orange exposure

Example: Fibromyalgia

Biology•Female•Fatigue

•Joint stiffness•Tender points

•Widespread aches

Psychology•Depression

•Information seeker•Difficult to get

motivated•Uses stress

management

Social•Supportive

friends/family members

•However, husband is not very supportive

•Work role is stressful

•Teaches water aerobics

Environment•Good access to health care•Environment is conducive

to exercise•She tries to surround herself with a healthy

environment.