Behavioral and Social Science in Medicine

Behavioral and Social Science in Medicine: Principles and Practice of Biopsychosocial Care is a unique single source that provides scholarly overviews of fundamental biopsychosocial competencies, and features contributions from over 200 distinguished experts across 83 chapters. Each clinically oriented chapter explains how to apply integrative biopsychosocial science towards pragmatic, comprehensive, and compassionate care. The work is designed to enable clinicians to improve their skills throughout their careers; facilitate curricula development; inform core competency development and assessment by oversight/regulatory organizations, such as the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and similar groups across helping professions; and provide ample exposure to critical social determinants of health (SDOH). The book has two major sections, the first of which  a) introduces the biopsychosocial model of illness; b) details biological, behavioral, psychological, and social-cultural pathways of health and disease, and their application to health care; c) offers a life course perspective; and d) provides clinical applications of these concepts within the context of specific medical conditions and their biopsychosocial sequelae. The second section of the book addresses several key contextual dimensions of medical practice including a) the physician’s personal background and beliefs as they may affect patient care, and physician well-being; b) physician interactions with patients and their families, and the ability to communicate effectively; and c) health policy and economics - topics to which medical students should be exposed to help them understand the health care system in which they will practice. The material will provide learners of all levels with an understanding of foundational biopsychosocial knowledge and enable them to integrate that knowledge into the practice of medicine.