Psychosocial aspects of illness.

Medical practice and research today are largely guided by a biomedical model of disease which assumes that disease can be fully accounted for by deviations from the norm of measurable biologic variables. It is suggested that this model has outlived its usefulness. Instead, the biopsychosocial model offers greater understanding of the illness process, and thus has greater utility for the practicing physician. Suggestions are offered for diagnosis and treatment within this biopsychosocial perspective.