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Published on: June 13, 2021
Psychosomatic medicine: the scientific foundation of the biopsychosocial model
Dennis H Novack1, Oliver Cameron, Elissa Epel
1Drexel University College of Medicine, Office of Educational Affairs, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19072, USA. dennis.novack@drexelmed.edu
Objective:
This article presents major concepts and research findings from the field of psychosomatic medicine that the authors believe should be taught to all medical students.
Method:
The authors asked senior scholars involved in psychosomatic medicine to summarize key findings in their respective fields.
Results:
The authors provide an overview of the field and summarize core research in basic psychophysiological mechanisms-central nervous system/autonomic nervous system, psychoneuroimmunology, and psychoendocrinology-in three major disease states-cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and HIV virus infections.
Conclusions:
Understanding the core scientific concepts and research findings of psychosomatic medicine should provide medical trainees with a scientific foundation for practicing medicine within a biopsychosocial model of care.
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