The need for a holistic approach to patient care

A review of the literature shows that psychological disorders frequently complicate physical illness. Similarly, biological factors have been shown to be important in psychiatric patients. The social environment of patients similarly contributes to their susceptibility to physical and mental disorders. The need to encourage a biopsychosocial model of health care is emphasized. It is suggested that there is an urgent need to evolve better collaboration between psychiatric and non-psychiatric physicians in clinical services, research and training at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care.