Value Of The Biopsychosocial Model Of Health Essay

Value Of The Biopsychosocial Model Of Health Essay

Various approaches of rehabilitation based on scientific models are implemented to cope with disabilities, impairments, diseases (Lorenzo, M, 1999, p.1). Before the implementation of the Biopsychosocial model, the Biomedical model was traditionally practiced and heavily used upon assessing patients. (Engel, 1977, p.130).

Engel (1977, p.131) states that the biomedical model “illustrates the alteration of a particular biochemical is commonly assessed in a specific diagnosis relevant to the pattern of the disease”. He also mentioned that additional concepts and frames of reference should be taken into account.

Biopsychosocial model is said to be an improved model than biomedical model as it is a way of examining patients at the two important interlinked systems: mind-body connection. (Engel, 1977, p.132). This model was proposed by psychiatrist George Engel in a 1977 article in Science. 

This biopsychosocial model treats patients from biological, psychological and sociological aspects of the body (Lakhan, 2006). Unlike the biomedical model, psychological and sociological was not being emphasized as it solely examined the biological aspect (Erskine et al, 2003, p.173).

The most obvious dissimilarity of Biopsychosocial model than Biomedical model is that Biopsychosocial model encourages patient’s active participation whilst Biomedical model is not much a model which promotes patient-centered care in terms of appreciating the individual needs and right of patients, understanding patients’ illness and health care experiences, and embracing them within effective relationships which enable patients to participate in clinical reasoning more (Ersser, 2008, p.68). 

Firstly, as a GP, it is crucial to explore the biopsychosocial model of health. One must realize that biological, psychological and social factors all contribute to a person’s overall health. The social dimension cannot be ignored in Anne’s case.

According to the World Health Organisation, the social determinants of health are ‘the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.’ (World Health Organisation. 2013) From the information provided, one could suggest that various social factors have contributed to Anne’s obesity. Anne grew up in a deprived area of the inner city. Growing up in a deprived area does not directly cause obesity, however, social determinants are known as causes of the causes of ill health.

First, as a general practitioner, it is essential to explore a healthy psychosocial model. People must know that biological, psychological and social factors contribute to the overall health of the individual. In Ann, the social aspect can not be ignored. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the social determinant of health is “the condition for people to be born, raised, living, working and aging.” (World Health Organization. 2013) Based on the information provided, you may think that various social factors caused Ann’s obesity.

A healthy biological psychosocial model (Engel, 1977) states that health and disease are factors such as biological characteristics (such as genetic susceptibility), behavioral factors (lifestyle, stress, health beliefs, etc.), social conditions It is argued that it is a combination of. Cultural influence, family relations, social support, etc.) (Marks et al., 2005). 

In the biological psychosocial model, each patient is totally different, so it will be affected differently by biological, psychological and social events. (Atkinson et al., 2005). However, the biomedical health model treats the patient as a false biological entity; this model convinces people that all patients with the same injury / medical condition will respond equally and simultaneously to the treatment. (Atkinson et al., 2005). The main difference between the two models is the role of patients and practitioners in each model.

First, as a general practitioner, it is essential to explore a healthy psychosocial model. People must know that biological, psychological and social factors contribute to the overall health of the individual. In Ann, the social aspect can not be ignored. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the social determinant of health is “the condition for people to be born, raised, living, working and aging.” (World Health Organization (WHO) – In this article, we will look at social factors, identify injuries between major socio-economic groups and disadvantaged socio-economic groups, and then social demography will focus on health of children and adolescents And discusses how nutrition influences children’s health from the womb, and then discusses the effects of poor living conditions and parental malnutrition in adulthood of children To do.

This model looks at persons as if they are machines. The different body systems are seen as systems The biomedical model of illness and healing concentrates on purely neurological factors, and excludes mental, environmental, and social impact on. This is considered to be the dominant, modern way for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat a problem in most Western countries. Many health care specialists do not 1st ask for a psychological or social good for a patient; instead, they tend to analyze and look for biophysical or innate malfunctions.

The focus is upon objective laboratory tests rather than the subjective thoughts or good the patient. In respect to this model, good health may be the freedom coming from pain, disease, or problem. It focuses on physical procedures that affect health, including the biochemistry, physiology, and pathology of a condition.

It does not take into account social or psychological elements that could have a role inside the illness. In this model, each illness provides one root cause, and once that trigger is eliminated, the patient will probably be healthy again. The biomedical model is often contrasted while using biopsychosocial version. In 1977, psychiatrist George L. Engel questioned the dominance of the biomedical version, proposing the biopsychosocial model to naturally assess a patient’s neurological, social, emotional, and behavioral background to determine his or her health issues and route of treatment. 

Although the biomedical model has always been the dominating theory in most places, a large number of fields of medicine including breastfeeding, sociology, and psychology use the biopsychosocial version at times. In recent times, some medical experts have also started to adopt a biopsychosocial-spiritual model, insisting that spiritual factors must be considered as well. Supporters of the biopsychosocial model believe the biomedical model exclusively does not think about all of the factors that have an impact on a patient’s health.

Biological issues, as well as mental factors such as a patient’s disposition, intelligence, memory space, and awareness are all regarded when making an analysis. The biomedical approach may not, for example , consider the role sociological factors like family, social class, or possibly a patient’s environment may include in creating a health condition, and therefore offer very little insight into just how illness might be prevented. 

Someone who complains of symptoms that have simply no obvious target cause may also be terminated as not being ill, despite the very genuine effect those symptoms may well have for the patient’s daily life.

Many scholars in disability studies identify a medical model of handicap that is part of the general biomedical approach. Through this model, incapacity is a completely physical occurrence, and becoming disabled is actually a negative that can only be manufactured better if the disability is definitely cured plus the person is manufactured normal. Many impairment rights advocates reject this kind of, and promote a social model through which disability is a difference neither a great nor bad trait. Supporters of the social model observe disability like a cultural build.

They speak about what sort of person’s activities his or her handicap can vary based upon environmental and societal improvements, and that someone who is considered impaired can often be healthful and prosperous without the input of a professional or the disability being cured.

Counseling is yet another field that uses a more holistic method to healing. Supporters of this structure note that, in the biomedical model, a patient attempts an expert to get a specific diagnosis and treatment. Many advisors often do not label people with a certain condition, and instead help them identify their strengths and build positive traits. Biopsychosocial model approach was used during a clinical placement; Mdm. C went for her first treatment in the physiotherapy department after being referred from an orthopedics doctor to a physiotherapist. Mdm. C is a 56 years old housewife who is diagnosed with shoulder osteoarthritis.

Shoulder osteoarthritis typically affects patients over 50 years old and it is more common in patients who have a history of prior shoulder injury as well as genetic predisposition (Cluett, 2009). Mdm. C was having language barrier with the physiotherapist responsible, Mr. S as she is incompetent in speaking English and Malay.

Immediately, Mr. S finds another assistant who is able to communicate to her in Mandarin (Chinese). Despite the barrier faced, Mdm. C was greeted nicely by the Mr. S. Based on the physician’s report, Mdm. C’s condition fulfilled the symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis: inflammation and degeneration of cartilage, pain with activities, limited range of motion, stiffness of the shoulder, swelling of the joint, tenderness around the joint, and a feeling of grinding or catching within the joint (Cluett, 2009). Both objective and subjective assessment is carried out to initiate the treatment as well as to identify and confirm the biological aspects. (Petty, 2004)

While assessing Mdm. C subjectively, Mr. S communicates with Mdm. C whole-heartedly, questioning her about her background, her career, social life, and daily habitual routines. Petty and Moore (2007, p. 130) states that “this would ease the physiotherapist to investigate more about the initial cause of the deformity as well as to treat her effectively in achieving the short-term and permanent goal in rehabilitation”. Physiotherapists practiced active listening while listening with a heart of compassion, patience and without any judgmental view.

Physiotherapists should also choose words carefully and meaningfully without stepping into the patient’s borderline by using open-ended questions to search for information until full understanding is achieved. Sensitive verbal and non-verbal communication is witnessed throughout the session (Petty and Moore, 2007, p.130).

Physiotherapist’s attempt to enquire more about Mdm. C is successful as Mdm. C became more comfortable in exposing and describing more about her complaints of pain. This indirectly allows the physiotherapist to gather more information for a better rehabilitation outcome at ease. Engel (1977, p.130) states that ‘more information needs to be gathered during consultation as physiotherapists need to find out about the patient’s biological signs, psychological state, their feelings and beliefs about the illness, and social factors such as their relationship with families and larger community’. 

Thus, the interview process acts as a means for the patient to give as much information as possible not solely based on physical symptoms, but how the illness affects the patient. (Engel, 1977, p.130)

Physiotherapist started the objective assessment with the examination of posture of Mdm. C in sitting and standing, noting the posture of the shoulders, head and neck, thoracic spine and upper limbs. Physiotherapist notes bony and soft tissue contours around the region. He checked the alignment of the head of humerus with the acromion as this can give clues about the possible mechanical insufficiencies. Mr. S pinch-grips the anterior and posterior aspects of the humerus, passively correcting any asymmetry to determine its relevance to the Mdm. C’s problem (Petty, 2006, p. 212). Objective assessments are accompanied by other tests and after all been carried out, Mr. S had drafted out the treatment plan for Mdm. C.

Mr. S then carefully and slowly explained the treatment to Mdm. C and set a short-term goal for her as it would not be a burden for Mdm. C in short duration. Mdm. C also benefits from getting a better idea of her conditions, treatment alternatives, and expected improvements. 

Sullivan (2007, p.11) states that “anticipated goal and expected outcome can address predicted change in overall health, risk reduction, and prevention and optimization of patient satisfaction.” He also states that this would further encourage faster recovery. Mr. S then applied hot packs on Mdm. C’s shoulder as heat helps to prepare the tissues for stretching and should be performed prior to any exercise sessions (Anderson, 2009).

Time duration for 10-15 minutes are used for the treatment and several layers were used to wrap the hot pack to avoid burning of skin. Thermo therapy is believed to relax muscle tightness and to relief pain, reduce muscle spasm, and increases blood

circulation (Inverarity, 2005).

Mr. S then teaches Mdm. C simple exercises to facilitate her restricted movements. Before starting the treatment, Mr. S demonstrated the exercise slowly and gave short, clear and easy-to-understand instructions and explanations about the treatment without using scientific jargons and labels to enhance the understanding of Mdm. C as wells as to minimize the emotional distress (O’ Sullivan and Precin, 2007, p.56). 

This considers the patient’s empowerment into account as the physiotherapist informed and explained the treatment options to patients before commencing the exercise onto the patient herself. The exercises given are: finger walk, towel stretch, and armpit stretch. The goal of these exercises is to stretch the shoulder to the point of tension without pain (Anderson, 2009).

Mr. S monitored Mdm. C’s psychological aspects properly by observing Mdm. C’s facial expression and body language. Facial expressions act as an indicator of a patient’s psychological affection(Petty, 2004). It would somehow affect the quality of exercises performed by patients. By observing a patient’s facial expression, it tells physiotherapists how they are feeling while doing exercises and whether they are comfortable doing it or not (Petty, 2004).

For instance, if Mdm. C feels like giving up due to fatigue and disappointment doing exercises, Mr. S would act as a motivator to motivate her to continue her efforts by encouraging and supportive words like, “Don’t stop, you’re almost there”, “Keep going, you’re doing very well”, “You can do it, it’s easy”, “Hang in there, just a while more”, “You’re doing very good, come let’s finish it together”, this indirectly would comfort the patient’s psychological discomforts and motivate her to be on the right track.

 Mr. S enquired again, if Mdm. C is comfortable with the given exercises to ensure that Mdm. C knows what she is doing and why is she feeling this way, and how does she cope with it if she feels like giving up due to tiredness. These covered the psychological aspects (Petty and Moore, 2007, p. 131).

Though Mdm. C came alone for this treatment, she was encouraged by both Mr. S and his assistant who are competent in Mandarin throughout the session. Thus, Mdm. C knows that she is not doing it alone. When the treatment session was over, Mr. S gave

Mdm. C a few sheets of paper containing the exercises she did earlier. Mr. S contacted Mdm. C’s nearest kin, her daughter to stress the importance of home exercises and to ensure that Mdm. C constantly does that at home, as well as to encourage the family members to participate in the exercises in helping Mdm. C to improve her muscle strength and relieve the symptoms. Mr. S educates the family members about precaution and safety at home. Mr. S strongly encouraged family members to accompany Mdm. C for her next scheduled treatment so as to overcome the language barrier and to get the family involved. These cover the sociological aspects of treatment. Sullivan, (2007, p. 52) states that ‘Social support helps the increase of self-esteem, adjusting and adapting oneself with disability.’

Biopsychosocial model takes into consideration the patient’s involvement in treatment, the patient’s needs, and the patient’s relationship with the clinician during a clinical practice as this model comprises the biological, psychological, sociological aspects of a patient. To conclude, the biopsychosocial model is practical, applicable, and agreeable as it brings enormous improvements on a patient’s condition. (1497 words)