Technique in medicine and its implications for the biopsychosocial model

One of the challenges of integrating the biopsychosocial model into medical teaching and practice is the effect of technique on medicine. Relying heavily on the thought of Jacques Ellul, this article defines technique as the systematic application of machine principles to all domains of life, and the evaluation and adjustment of all human activity according to the criterion of efficiency. The article then considers the tension between technique and the biopsychosocial model of medicine, and explores ways to offset the problems technique causes while preserving the good that technique achieves, with particular reference to the teaching of family medicine residents.

Identification of core functioning features for assessment and intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders

PURPOSE

Framed within a biopsychosocial approach, this study aimed to identify the main functionality dimensions that experts in the field of child development and child psychopathology considered as essential in the assessment-intervention process with young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), using the International Classification of Functionality, Disability and Health for Children and Youth.

METHOD

The Delphi method was used to obtain consensus among experts regarding the essential functionality features for the rehabilitation of young children with ASD. Therefore, web-based three-round survey was developed.

RESULTS

There are more functionality features identified as more essential for the age group 3-6 than from the group birth-2 years of age. 49.4% of activities and participation dimensions were regarded as essential by experts, while only 13.9% of body functions were selected. 39.9% of environmental factors were also marked by experts as essential.

CONCLUSIONS

Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) are classified in diagnostic manuals-DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. These classifications are valuable to detect signs/symptoms of health conditions; however, they are often not sufficient to develop individualized interventions. More functional information is needed to complement diagnostic data. The identified functionality dimensions of the ICF-CY complement diagnosis by differentiating relevant functioning aspects in all life domains, according to the biopsychosocial model and should always be addressed in the process of rehabilitation of young children with ASD.