What is a model ?

Symbolic representation that ascribe to epistemology and ontology in situation how knowledge is represented, produced and shared.

•  Epistemology
  •  The way we know things. 
  •  Descriptive in nature.
•  Ontology
  •  The way thing really are.
  •  Binary in nature.

Are these claim ontological or epistemological?

•  “There is only one single reality or truth?”
•  “There are multiple realities?”

a.     These statements are ontological because the answer is binary and there is no descriptive answer.

•  “Knowledge can be measured using reliable designs and tools”
•  “Reality needs to be interpreted to discover its underlying meaning”

b.     These statements are epistemological because it requires a more descriptive answer and the answer is not binary in nature

Biomedical model

•  Onto-epistemological assertion 
•  Framework 
•  a set of philosophical commitments 
•  An approach to conceptualise disease
•  Disease is presumed to be fully attributed to physiological or biochemical deviations from the norm
•  Suggests disease is detected and identified through a process of observation, descriptions, and differentiation

The biomedical model of health (BMM) is a scientific perspective on health that emphasizes understanding the physical causes and treatments of diseases. It focuses on curing illnesses by addressing their physical symptoms, aligning with the WHO’s definition of health as complete physical well-being.

However, this model can be restrictive because it often overlooks the importance of mental and social aspects of health. As a result, it can jeopardize:

1.  The maintenance of overall health
2.  The recognition of individual differences in health
3.  The provision of personalized healthcare
4.  The consideration of how different systems in the body interact
5.  The acknowledgment of social and mental dimensions, which are vital to comprehensive health.

Biomedical model focuses on nature and cause of disease. Focus on patient dysfunction or defect of patient body. 

Advantages of biomedical model

•  Explains certain diseases
•  Uses established principals

Disadvantages of biomedical model

•  Leads to delayed recognition of illness 
•  Does not account for more than 75% of problems presented in primary care

Assumptions made by this model

•  It tends to reduce the body to its physical component parts and not mental, physiological, spiritual components 
•  Assumes body is constructed same everywhere (male/female)
•  Uses metaphorical language to describe experiences of the body
•  Power is invested in the practitioner not the patient 
•  Knowledge is regulated and not made easy to learn and understand

Limitations of this model

•  BMM reduces health and illness to individual parts, ignoring broader factors.
•  Overlooks connections between different body systems.
•  Links health management closely to the medical system, concentrating power in certain individuals and institutions.
•  Focuses more on disease treatment than on maintaining overall health.
•  Prioritizes medical specialists and technologies, centring care on the disease, not the person.
•  Claims universal applicability across all bodies and contexts.
•  Neglects social, psychological, and behavioural dimensions of illness.