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The Biopsychosocial Approach: Towards Holistic, Person-Centred Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Practice

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European Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing in the 21st Century

Part of the book series: Principles of Specialty Nursing ((PSN))

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the Biopsychosocial (BPS) model of care to as it is operationalised for Psychiatric/Mental health care. Instead of simply examining physical symptoms of illness, the BPS uses a multidimensional, holistic approach to explore a patient’s biological, psychological and social dimensions of suffering that affect health outcomes. The chapter begins with a general background and analysis of the essential theoretic elements followed by specific examples of how the BPS model has been applied to the practice of Psychiatric/Mental health nursing. Evidence is presented which demonstrates the effectiveness of BPS in understanding complex health-care issues such as depression and substance abuse. The model is not without criticism, and some literature suggests BPS uses an outdated, vague, pluralistic approach which introduces uncertainty that can confuse treatments and compound expense. Finally the chapter presents a discussion of the components needed to create a comprehensive assessment tool.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Though this may not be entirely surprising given Engel’s background as an internist, with a specialism and interest in gastrointestinal disorders.

  2. 2.

    While some authors appear to have co-opted or adopted the term holism and use this to refer to a collection of ‘new age’, complimentary and/or ‘alternative’ health-care ‘treatments’, the authors deliberately limit their use of the term holism to refer to a holistic approach and a holistic view of the person (ala—Engel’s original works).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra, Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    José Carlos Santos

  2. Assistant Professor of Nursing, Wright State University, Ohio, USA

    Marie Bashaw

  3. Assistant Professor of Nursing, Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA

    Will Mattcham

  4. Cutcliffe Consulting, Kingston, Canada

    John R. Cutcliffe

  5. School of Nursing, Coimbra, Portugal

    John R. Cutcliffe

  6. Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing - PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, University of São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil

    Kelly Graziani Giacchero Vedana

Authors
  1. José Carlos Santos
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  2. Marie Bashaw
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  3. Will Mattcham
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  4. John R. Cutcliffe
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  5. Kelly Graziani Giacchero Vedana
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Correspondence to José Carlos Santos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra, Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    José Carlos Santos

  2. Cutcliffe Consulting, Kingston, Canada

    John R. Cutcliffe

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Santos, J.C., Bashaw, M., Mattcham, W., Cutcliffe, J.R., Giacchero Vedana, K.G. (2018). The Biopsychosocial Approach: Towards Holistic, Person-Centred Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Practice. In: Santos, J., Cutcliffe, J. (eds) European Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing in the 21st Century. Principles of Specialty Nursing. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31772-4_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31772-4_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31772-4

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