Session 1

Question 1

What is the difference between the biomedical model and biopsychosocial model of disease?

Answer 1

Biomedical model

• Illness understood in terms of biological and physiological processes.
• Treatment involves physical interventions (drugs, surgery).

Biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977)

• Bio factors: physiology, genetics, pathogens
• Pyscho factors: cognition, emotion, behaviour
• Social factors: social class, employment, social support, etc.