1.4 Compare and contrast models of health and wellbeing

This guide will help you answer 1.4 Compare and contrast models of health and wellbeing.

When studying health and wellbeing within the care sector, understanding the different models can help explain how people view health and what factors affect it. Various models exist, each offering a different perspective. These models shape health services and influence how care workers support individuals.

This guide explores several key models, comparing and contrasting their views.

The Biomedical Model

The biomedical model is one of the most established approaches. It focuses on diagnosing and treating physical diseases and medical conditions. Here, health is seen as the absence of illness or disease. This model is widely used in Western medicine and prioritises biological factors.

Core features include:

Treating physical symptoms with medical interventions, such as medication or surgery.
Viewing the body as separate from the mind.
Using scientific methods to understand illness.

Strengths of the Biomedical Model:

Effective for acute or life-threatening conditions, such as infections or injuries.
Uses advanced medical technology to improve outcomes.
Aims to remove the cause of illness.

Limitations of the Biomedical Model:

Ignores psychological and social factors.
Assumes that treating the body will solve the problem.
Less suited to dealing with long-term conditions, such as diabetes or mental health issues.

The Social Model

The social model offers a broader perspective. Instead of focusing only on diseases, it looks at the social and environmental factors affecting health. This approach argues that health goes beyond the physical body and includes living conditions, relationships, and community support.

Key principles are:

Understanding how poverty, housing, education, and employment impact health.
Focusing on prevention rather than treatment.
Promoting equality by addressing barriers to good health, such as lack of access to healthcare.

Strengths of the Social Model:

Highlights the role of social inequalities in health.
Encourages long-term prevention strategies, such as healthier lifestyles.
Recognises mental and emotional wellbeing as core parts of health.

Limitations of the Social Model:

Can be seen as too broad or abstract.
More difficult to implement solutions compared to biomedical treatments.
Relies heavily on societal change, which can take time.

The Biopsychosocial Model

The biopsychosocial model combines elements of both the biomedical and social models. It considers biological, psychological, and social factors when exploring health and wellbeing. This makes it a more person-centred approach.

Its key concepts include:

Recognising that biological aspects like genetics are important but not the whole picture.
Considering mental health, stress, and emotions in relation to physical health.
Addressing societal pressures, family dynamics, and community connections.

Strengths of the Biopsychosocial Model:

Offers a well-rounded approach to care.
Acknowledges that mental and physical health are linked.
Looks at the individual’s unique circumstances.

Limitations of the Biopsychosocial Model:

Difficult to apply in systems that focus on medical diagnoses alone.
Requires more communication between professionals in different fields.
Can be more time-consuming to assess and address all factors.

The Holistic Model

The holistic model emphasises treating the “whole person.” This includes integrating physical, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing. It often draws on complementary therapies alongside traditional medicine.

Characteristics of this model include:

Encouraging self-care and personal responsibility for health.
Exploring how beliefs, culture, and lifestyle choices influence wellbeing.
Focusing on strengthening the individual’s strengths and resilience.

Strengths of the Holistic Model:

Tailors interventions to the individual, making it highly person-centred.
Encourages healthy behaviours such as exercise, mindfulness, and good nutrition.
Can empower individuals to take control of their health.

Limitations of the Holistic Model:

Can lack evidence-based approaches when relying heavily on alternative therapies.
Not always covered by the NHS or health insurance.
May conflict with medical models that prioritise immediate treatment.

The Wellness Model

The wellness model focuses on achieving optimum health rather than merely avoiding illness. It encourages individuals to pursue activities and goals that improve their quality of life.

Components of this model include:

Promoting self-awareness and personal growth.
Valuing lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating and regular exercise.
Balancing multiple aspects of life, including work, relationships, and recreation.

Strengths of the Wellness Model:

Helps individuals maintain a higher quality of life.
Prevents illness by building on strengths.
Promotes lifelong health habits.

Limitations of the Wellness Model:

May not address chronic illness or disabilities as effectively.
Often relies on access to time and resources, which can exclude disadvantaged groups.
Less clearly defined compared to other models.

Comparing the Models

To compare these models, let’s examine how they approach health and wellbeing:

Focus on Treatment vs Prevention:

The biomedical model focuses on treating illness.
The social, holistic, and wellness models prioritise prevention and overall wellbeing.

Scope:

The biomedical and biopsychosocial models primarily focus on the individual.
The social and holistic models extend this to environmental and societal influences.

Approach to Mental and Emotional Health:

The biopsychosocial and holistic models both integrate mental health as a key factor.
The biomedical model neglects emotional and psychological considerations.

Role of the Individual:

The wellness and holistic models encourage individuals to take more control over their health.
The biomedical model places decision-making mostly with healthcare professionals.

Contrasting the Models

While comparing the models, it is also important to highlight how they differ:

The biomedical model defines health narrowly as “free from disease,” whereas the wellness model views it as optimal functioning in all areas of life.
The social model sees curing health inequalities as vital, but the biomedical model focuses only on curing physical conditions.
The biopsychosocial model integrates multiple perspectives, while the holistic model places equal emphasis on non-traditional aspects, such as spirituality.

Applications in Practice

In practice, these models influence how care is delivered in health and social care settings:

In hospitals, care provision often follows the biomedical model, focusing on treatments like surgeries or medications.
Community programmes addressing smoking cessation or improving nutrition may draw on the social model.
Mental health services often utilise the biopsychosocial model, integrating therapy with medical treatments.
Complementary therapies offered in residential care may align with the holistic model.
Wellness coaching services promote the wellness model, helping individuals achieve life goals and lead healthier lives.

Final Thoughts

Each model has strengths and weaknesses. Some are better suited to specific conditions while others work well for promoting overall health. Effective care often requires combining approaches. Understanding these models can help care workers find the right balance, giving personalised support tailored to the needs of the individuals they assist.