A revisionist theory for the integration of behavioral science into family medicine departments.

This article describes the common cycle of infatuation and disillusionment which occurs when the family physician meets the behavioral scientist. Some inherent problems are involved in the relationship between physicians and psychologists. For physicians, these problems are related to prior training, time pressures, perceptions of the patient role, and their attitude toward role innovation. For behavioral scientists, problems include their expectations and prior training, conceptual rigidity, psychological mindedness, their views of physician and patient, and their sense of displacement and isolation in a medical setting. Suggestions are made for future collaboration, curriculum development, problem solving, and the elimination of biases and stereotypes.