Psychosomatic medicine: the scientific foundation of the biopsychosocial model.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents major concepts and research findings from the field of psychosomatic medicine that the authors believe should be taught to all medical students.


METHODS
The authors asked senior scholars involved in psychosomatic medicine to summarize key findings in their respective fields.


RESULTS
The authors provide an overview of the field and summarize core research in basic psychophysiological mechanisms-central nervous system/autonomic nervous system, psychoneuroimmunology, and psychoendocrinology-in three major disease states-cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and HIV virus infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the core scientific concepts and research findings of psychosomatic medicine should provide medical trainees with a scientific foundation for practicing medicine within a biopsychosocial model of care.
Novack
Dennis H
DH
Drexel University College of Medicine, Office of Educational Affairs, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19072, USA. dennis.novack@drexelmed.edu
Cameron
Oliver
O
Epel
Elissa
E
Ader
Robert
R
Waldstein
Shari R
SR
Levenstein
Susan
S
Antoni
Michael H
MH
Wainer
Alicia Rojas
AR
D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D004501:Education, Medical; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000503:physiopathology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011611:Psychosomatic Medicine / Q000193:education*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment