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Table 1 Medical and Social Models

From: A diagnosis of conflict: theoretical barriers to integration in mental health services & their philosophical undercurrents

Medical Model

 

Theoretical

 

Diagnosis/definition:

"physical health-illness continuum"

Interpretations of behavior:

"symptoms of illness as a (rough) guide to severity"

Etiology:

"physiochemical changes in the brain/genetic factors"

Practical

 

Treatment:

"medical and surgical procedures, drugs etc."

Prognosis:

"many symptoms can be controlled"

Social Model

 

Theoretical

 

Diagnosis/definition:

"health/low stress/high stress continuum"

Interpretations of behavior:

"symptoms indicate degrees of stress"

Etiology:

"social economic stress, cultural conflict, marginal status, etc."

Practical

 

Treatment:

"social change to reduce stress"

Prognosis:

"good if changes made at the social level"