Biopsychosocial Model in Clinical Physiotherapy Practice

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"The relevance of Biopsychosocial model & patient-centered care in improving the health of an individual in clinical physiotherapy practice" Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (World Health Organization, 2011). This context clearly explains that biological, psychosocial and sociological aspects create a healthy state of mind and body. Therefore, it is crucial for the physiotherapist to focus on these three aspects when treating a patient to improve the quality of life of the patient. One of the models available is the Biopsychosocial model. Biopsychosocial model was introduced by George Engle in the year 1977. The Biopsychosocial model is a general model that accounts biological, psychological and sociological aspect of an individual and is an interconnected spectrum (Lakhan, 2006). One of the aspects cannot be neglected as they are related to one another. For example, a hemiplegic patient is affected biologically as one side of the body is paralyzed. This impairment affects the quality of the patient’s social lifestyle when the patient cannot perform normal daily activities and needs to depend on others. This will consequently affect the psychosocial aspect when the patient feels sad and unmotivated to move on with his or her life. Information from all the three aspects, the biological, psychological and social aspects of Biopsychosocial model is paramount as it helps the medical professionals to get holistic picture of the patient to achieve shared expertise with the patient (Larivaara, Kiuttu and Taanila, 2001, p. 9). Patient-centered care is another methodology that must be applied during clinical practice. Patient centered, in this context, means treating patients as partners, involving them in planning their health care and encouraging them to take responsibility for

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