Psychology

Usually, when one thinks of health and illness, the first thought for remedy usually falls under the scope of the traditional biomedical model of disease. One would think that medicine, doctors or surgeons would do the trick, when in fact, such comprise only half the story. The other side to the story is that of the health psychology model. Neither should be underestimated. Together, the two approaches fulfill a holistic view on all factors that may contribute or have some connection to health.

With the biomedical model, it focuses on pathology (Friedman, 2002, p.70). As mentioned, it deals with the curative side of health, or at least the containment of it. Under the biomedical model would be physicians, nurses or professionals who earn a living with treating disease, with the male professionals, and those most technically apt receiving the highest salary. Also under the biomedical model would be the practice of paying for treatment as well as insurance. In terms of treatment, this would comprise surgery and pharmaceuticals, as well as allied health services such as rehabilitation. Treatment that is not administered by physicians would be called alternative medicine.

The Psychology model on the other hand focuses on health (Friedman, 2002, p.70). It focuses on the prevention rather than cure and seeks to maintain, restore and promote health. While the biomedical model employs health professionals, this model would have scientists working on public health as well as promoting mental health, along with some government agencies. Here, people would pay for legal and social change for heath. While the biomedical model focuses on drugs and surgery, the psychology model would look at behavior, thoughts, habits, coping and adaptation. The psychology model considers families and communities, as the biomedical view only looks at the person. Finally, an individual is seen as a consumer availing of treatment from health professionals being seen as expert advisors.