Using the Biopsychosocial Model to Guide Patient-Centered Neurological Treatments

Abstract

The biopsychosocial model was defined by George L. Engel to propose a holistic approach to patient care. Through this model, physicians can understand patients in their context to aid the development of tailored, individualized treatment plans that consider relevant biological, psychological, and social-cultural-spiritual factors impacting health and longitudinal care. In this article, we advocate for the use of the biopsychosocial model in neurology practice across outpatient and inpatient clinical settings. To do so, we first present the history of the biopsychosocial model, and its relationships to precision medicine and deep phenotyping. Then, we bring the neurologist up-to-date information on the components of the biopsychosocial clinical formulation, including predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors. We conclude by detailing illustrative neurological case examples using the biopsychosocial model, emphasizing the importance of considering relevant psychological and social factors to aid the delivery of patient-centered clinical care in neurology.