The biopsychosocial model of medicine revisited: a meta-theoretical excursion.

Engel's biopsychosocial model of medicine has been widely endorsed by contemporary medicine, at least in theory. Yet, whereas Engel's notion refers mainly to physician-patient communication, the prevalent interpretation of this model is mainly etiological. The present meta-theoretical study examines the relation between the different notions of the model. Using logical analysis and the theory of (critical) rationality, in particular Wettersten's theory of (complementary) styles of rationality, it is argued that the different notions of the model may be complementary, rather than contradictory or incommensurable as usually implied by those holding them.