Behavioral medicine: toward a comprehensive psychosomatic approach

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Behavioral medicine employs a holistic patient approach, integrating biological, personal, and environmental-social dimensions.
• This comprehensive evaluation and treatment model emphasizes understanding the patient within their broader context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Patient Evaluation Grid (PEG) as an operational method for implementing behavioral medicine principles.
• To highlight the psychiatrist's unique role in interpreting and integrating complex patient data using the PEG.

Main Methods:

• The Patient Evaluation Grid (PEG) is a nine-square matrix intersecting three patient dimensions (biological, personal, environmental) with three time contexts (current, recent, background).
• Information within the PEG is examined to derive a three-dimensional diagnosis and management plan.

Main Results:

• The PEG facilitates a systematic, multi-dimensional assessment of patient information.
• Analysis of the PEG yields a comprehensive, three-dimensional diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Conclusions:

• The psychiatrist, with formal training across all PEG dimensions, is uniquely positioned to interpret and integrate patient data.
• Psychiatrists act as crucial integrators and coordinators, collaborating with other professionals for optimal patient care.