Emerging Concepts of Mental Illness and Models of Treatment: The Medical Point of View
ROY R. GRINKER SR. M.D.1
1 Director, Institute for Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Research and Training of Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center
In debates about the medical model vs. other models in the treatment of mental disorders, the proponents on each side often disregard the fact that the biopsychosocial field cannot be fractured into separate parts. Since no one individual can encompass this entire field of knowledge, this author believes, what is needed is genuine multidisciplinary collaboration rather than a "parceling off" of professional territories. The goal of the mental health disciplines should be evolutionary experimentation, with all members cooperatively involved in the processes of allocated individual as well as overlapping functions.