Blog #6: Medical vs. Biopsychosocial Model of Disability

The medical model of disability views disability solely as a result of an individual's physical impairment. It focuses on "fixing" the individual through medical interventions, aiming to cure or manage the impairment. In contrast, the biopsychosocial model of disability takes a broader approach by considering not just medical aspects, but also psychological and social factors that influence a person's experience with disability.

There are several key differences between these models. The medical model emphasizes individual impairment as the central issue, often overlooking the role of external factors. On the other hand, the biopsychosocial model acknowledges the interplay of biological, psychological, and social influences. Additionally, while the medical model does not account for environmental factors, the biopsychosocial model places significant importance on how environmental and social barriers affect individuals with disabilities.

The medical model of disability sees the disability as something physically wrong with one's body. This means the body or mind needs fixing by medical care. The medical model focuses on medical treatments, diagnoses, and the recovery of the problem. This model does not focus on how society or the environment around it will affect someone as a whole with a disability. 

The biopsychosocial model of disability looks at the disability in a general way. Not just focusing on mental health or physical aspects, but more so on how the person is feeling and how the thoughts around them play a role in their disability. This model focuses on how the person lives and how society sees them. It also takes stereotypes, discrimination, and other daily barriers they face daily. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL9I96jPK84

To further help you understand the models click the link to this YouTube video!! 

I believe that we can better educate others that a disability does not always need to be "fixed" and that the societal limitations are often greater than the physical or intellectual impairments themselves, we need to shift the way we think about disability. 

It's important to teach the social model of disability, which focuses on how barriers in society, like inaccessible buildings or negative attitudes, create more challenges than the disability itself. We can also amplify the voices of people with disabilities by sharing their personal stories, showing they are capable and successful. Changing how we talk about disability is a huge factor as well. Leaving terms like "broken" and using language that respects the person, such as "person with a disability" or "disabled person" as a thing in the past and to move forward positively. "The movement toward combining the concepts into biopsychosocial models started, and it was initially developed by George Engel in the 1970s"(American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation).

The importance of accessible spaces, like ramps and captions, shows that making the world accessible benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. Positive media representation is also crucial, as it can help change the way people with disabilities are viewed. Offering training and educating people about disability rights and inclusion can also help shift mindsets, as can creating opportunities for people to interact with those who have disabilities who haven't before. 

By focusing on larger systemic issues, like job discrimination and lack of healthcare access, we can raise awareness about how societal barriers are often more harmful than the disability itself. Supporting policies that promote fairness and accessibility is essential, and recognizing that disability is just one part of human diversity helps normalize it as a natural aspect of life. At the end of the day by promoting inclusivity and understanding, we can create a world where everyone has equal opportunities and can live without unnecessary limitations. Living life without a label or term that defines who you are as a person. 

Sources: 

InSpEd. (2023, December). Easing the tension between medical and social models of disability: The biopsychosocial model of disability. Retrieved from https://www.insped.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Easing-the-Tension-between-Medical-and-Social-Models-of-Disability-The-Biopsychosocial-Model-of-Disability-Dec-23.pdf

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. (n.d.). Conceptual models of disability. AAPM&R. https://now.aapmr.org/conceptual-models-of-disability