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Culture, illness, and the biopsychosocial model
1Department of Family Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614.
Family Medicine
|May 1, 1991
Summary
The biopsychosocial model in family medicine overlooks culture's central role in illness. A new model is needed to highlight culture as a primary determinant of health and healing experiences for everyone.
Area of Science:
- Medical Anthropology
- Family Medicine
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- The biopsychosocial model is widely adopted in family medicine.
- This model examines biological, psychological, and social factors in health and illness.
- However, its depiction of culture's role in the illness experience is questioned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critique the adequacy of the biopsychosocial model regarding culture in illness.
- To propose a more comprehensive model that emphasizes culture's centrality.
- To highlight culture as a prerequisite for meaningful human experience, including illness.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the biopsychosocial model.
- Literature review on culture, meaning systems, and illness.
- Theoretical framework development for a culture-centered model.
Main Results:
- The biopsychosocial model inadequately represents culture's pervasive influence on illness.
- Culture is a fundamental meaning system, not an optional factor.
- A culture-centered approach is essential for understanding illness universally.
Conclusions:
- A revised model is necessary to place culture at the forefront of illness experience.
- This model should recognize healers and patients as cultural beings.
- Culture's role in connecting body, mind, and world requires further exploration for research and therapy.
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