Biopsychosocial model

The biopsychosocial model ("BPS model") looks at biological, psychological and social factors to explain why disorders occur and is a tool used by psychologists to examine how psychological disorders develop.

History
In a 1977 article in Science, psychiatrist George L. Engel called for "the need for a new medical model."

Controversy
Inappropriately used to explain biological disorders that cannot yet be explained by medical science. Myalgic encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, (ME/CFS), and Fibromyalgia are now known as physiological diseases. The incorrect application of the BPS model for ME/CFS has led to the PACE trial with Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) and Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) being utilized as treatment of ME/CFS patients.

Notable studies

 * May 2016, 'Blaming the victim, all over again: Waddell and Aylward’s biopsychosocial (BPS) model of disability' by Tom Shakespeare, Nicolas Watson and Ola Abu Alghaib via Critical Social Policy
 * Aug 2016, 'Chronic fatigue syndrome: is the biopsychosocial model responsible for patient dissatisfaction and harm? by Keith Geraghty and Aneez Esmail via British Journal of General Practice
 * Jun 2018, 'Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and the biopsychosocial model: a review of patient harm and distress in the medical encounter' by Keith Geraghty and Charlotte Blease via Disability and Rehabilitation