The biopsychosocial model—a tool for rheumatologists

Rheumatologists grapple in daily practice with many controversial syndromes including fibromyalgia, late whiplash syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War syndrome, the adverse outcomes of silicon breast implants and so on. For decades, much of the debate surrounding, and the approach to these controversial syndromes has centred on a model creating two camps–organic versus non-organic. While each camp has its support, this model seems to have failed in achieving the desired understanding of these syndromes, most particularly in offering the rheumatologist a practical and coherent approach to effective treatment. This chapter will thus introduce the biopsychosocial model, its elements, its advantages over the traditional model and the practical application of this model. Examples will be given of how rheumatologists can approach the treatment of these syndromes through patient education and the implementation of a change in illness behaviour.