The authors state that the medical model represents the most useful and
appropriate model available for the practice of psychiatry. They discuss
the implications for psychiatry of the three essential features of the
medical model: the concept of disease and diagnosis, the concept of
etiology and treatment, and the nature of the doctor-patient relationship.
They conclude that the adoption of the medical model for psychiatry would
have profound implications for residency training, continuing education,
delivery of care, standards of ethical and professional practice, dealings
with third-party payers, and conflicts with other professions.Abstract Teaser