Psychosomatic medicine in Czechoslovakia: history, present state and perspectives

The history and present state of psychosomatic medicine in Czechoslovakia are described in detail. At the present time, a concept of Z.J. Lipowski is spreading. Since the formation of the Section for Study of Psychosomatic Medicine, a part of the Czech Psychiatric Association in 1975, several teams of physicians and clinical psychologists have started work in various fields of psychosomatic medicine. Some inpatient and outpatient psychosomatic wards and units were opened. Pre- and postgraduate training in psychosomatics and behavioral medicine have started. Future developments of psychosomatic health care in Czechoslovakia will require the integration of the psychosomatic approach and the bio-psychosocial model of disease into primary health care and other bio-medical disciplines. Psychosocial theory must be incorporated into prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of all diseases using the method of liaison psychiatry, along with the further institutionalization of psychosomatic care.