[Clinical psychophysiology in the primary care system]

In the beginning of the 21st century, a need for a different medical approach arises among the medical systems in the world. This new attitude, beyond laboratory tests, imaging procedures, and pharmacological treatment, emphasizes the significance of the role of the patient, and transfers the control to the patient himself and his/her family. This is the biopsychosocial medical approach. In such a system the medical staff considers not only the traditional biological factors, but also the mental and environmental factors, when it plans the treatment course. The lack of consideration of the real medical and psychological needs of the patient can result in misuse of essential resources. It can also lead to the frustration of the patient and the medical personnel. Clinical psychophysiology is a treatment implementation of the biopsychosocial approach, and it is supposed to meet the biological and psychological needs of the patient. The biopsychosocial method integrates physiological treatments and behavior-cognitive care. The article describes in detail various processes of the clinical psychophysiology, according to the current professional literature. We conclude that the clinical psychophysiology might be useful in treating many problems in primary medicine, such as chronic pain, hypertension, sleep disturbances, and attention disorders. The primary care system is the optimal place to practice the biopsychosocial method, and the challenge is to develop the appropriate doctrines, which would enable the medical staff to help the patients in need. In the article we discuss in details five strategies which allow broader use of the instruments of the clinical psychophysiology: 1) Expansion of doctors education; 2) Allied health professionals involvement; 3) Integration of behavioral medical treatment in primary care; 4) Causing effective modification with minimal medical staff contiguity; 5) Referral for follow-up treatment. The clinical psychophysiology, in the framework of primary care, is a powerful integration of the biomedical and bio-social models.