The biopsychosocial model is applicable to a wide range of issues in nursing. The model states that there are biological (body), psychological (mind), and environmental (social) causes of disease that all need to be addressed as part of the nursing profession (Renjith et al., 2016). The model reflects a holistic approach to nursing that incorporates all of the needs of the patient as part of the healing process, rather than focusing only on the physical. It is a useful tool for understanding the issue of diabetes. Diabetes is on the increase in the United States (Renjith et al., 2016), and there are a number of causes of this, including the obesity epidemic. Diabetes is a problem that should be approached from a number of different angles because of its association with other elements of health, including the psychological difficulties of dealing with a chronic condition, and the social and environmental elements that are associated with diabetes and obesity.
Examples of the application of the biopsychosocial model can be found in a number of different disciplines outside of nursing. It developed as part of psychology, and has links to general systems theory and social cognitive theory (van Dijk de Vries et al., 2015). It can be applied, for example, in understanding sociological phenomenon such as poverty, which also involve biological, psychological, and social elements. Within nursing, the biopsychosocial approach has been notably important in the multi-axial dimension of the APA classification of mental disorders (Stuart, 2014). The description of mental health problems in the DSM-5, for example, includes references to psychological, biological, and environmental patterns that are seen in these mental health problems. This is particularly appropriate in mental health nursing, but can be useful in identifying the multiple causes and factors involved in other diseases such as diabetes. The biopsychosocial model is particularly appropriate in understanding chronic diseases such as diabetes.
References
Renjith, V., Pai, M. S., Castalino, F., George, A., & Pai, A. (2016). Engel’s Model as a Conceptual Framework in Nursing Research: Well-being and Disability of Patients With Migraine. Holistic Nursing Practice, 30(2), 96–101.
Stuart, G. W. (2014). Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ivALBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=biopsychosocial+model+nursing&ots=pDL2HxjXk3&sig=jsdUspOcsskiFniM5h-czHqGHmY
van Dijk-de Vries, A., van Bokhoven, M. A., Winkens, B., Terluin, B., Knottnerus, J. A., van der Weijden, T., & van Eijk, J. T. M. (2015). Lessons learnt from a cluster-randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of Self-Management Support (SMS) delivered by practice nurses in routine diabetes care. BMJ Open, 5(6), e007014.
