The biopsychosocial approach. Liaison medicine and its models

Liaison psychiatry is an outgrowth of consultation psychiatry which it extends by emphasizing its teaching function with the physicians, nurses, and patients it has contact. Liaison teaches methods of identification, assessment, diagnosis, and therapy based primarily on an open-ended interview technique. This form serves in and of itself, as well as by extension, as a brief psychotherapeutic process. The liaison model utilizes a general systems approach in its study of the patient pursuing the latter's problem from the molecular through organ systems, intrapsychic processes and interactions with the social milieu. The biopsychosocial approach to the patient is one of addressing the patient and the significant others in the sequential stages of illness; acute, convalescent, and rehabilitative. These are largely influenced by the environments and the processes occurring therein. Liaison psychiatry might well be called ecumenical psychiatry inasmuch as it utilizes conceptual approaches derivative of the social sciences, psychoanalysis, behavioral medicine, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology. In addition, the function of the liaison consultant seems to be increasing as one in which he/she functions as an arbiter when there are conflicts between colleagues around decision-making processes. These frequently involve ethical problems affecting the behavior of staff and patients. The processes engaged in by the liaison psychiatrist will be elaborated.