The biopsychosocial model of medicine revisited: A meta-theoretical excursion

Engel's biopsychosocial model of medicine has been widely endorsed by conte mporary medicine, at least in theory. Yet, whereas Engel's notion refers ma inly to physician-patient communication, the prevalent interpretation of th is model is mainly etiological. The present meta-theoretical study examines the relation between the different notions of the model. Using logical ana lysis and the theory of (critical) rationality, in particular Wettersten's theory of (complementary) styles of rationality, it is argued that the diff erent notions of the model may be complementary, rather than contradictory or incommensurable as usually implied by those holding them.