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Semin Neurol 2022; 42(02): 080-087
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1742145
Review Article

Using the Biopsychosocial Model to Guide Patient-Centered Neurological Treatments

Aneeta Saxena  ‡   *
1   Epilepsy Division, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
2   Functional Neurological Disorder Unit, Division of Cognitive Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Sara Paredes-Echeverri  ‡   *
2   Functional Neurological Disorder Unit, Division of Cognitive Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Rosa Michaelis 
3   Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
4   Department of Neurology, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
,
Stoyan Popkirov 
3   Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
,
David L. Perez 
2   Functional Neurological Disorder Unit, Division of Cognitive Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
5   Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations Funding D.L.P. was funded by the Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation.
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Abstract

The biopsychosocial model was defined by George L. Engel to propose a holistic approach to patient care. Through this model, physicians can understand patients in their context to aid the development of tailored, individualized treatment plans that consider relevant biological, psychological, and social–cultural–spiritual factors impacting health and longitudinal care. In this article, we advocate for the use of the biopsychosocial model in neurology practice across outpatient and inpatient clinical settings. To do so, we first present the history of the biopsychosocial model, and its relationships to precision medicine and deep phenotyping. Then, we bring the neurologist up-to-date information on the components of the biopsychosocial clinical formulation, including predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors. We conclude by detailing illustrative neurological case examples using the biopsychosocial model, emphasizing the importance of considering relevant psychological and social factors to aid the delivery of patient-centered clinical care in neurology.

Keywords

biopsychosocial - neurology - education - behavioral neurology - neuropsychiatry

* Both contributed equally as first authors.




Publication History

Article published online:
03 February 2022

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