Biopsychosocial Model Of Disability Case Study

Intro Health as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is “a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (website #1). The definition of disability is not quite so straight forward. Over the last 25 years there have been many different attempts to define disability using different frameworks. The medical model views disability as a condition that is caused by a specific diseases or impairment, which is then assumed to cause a diminished state of health (Art #5 PP). By way of contrast the social model of disability is more contemporary and it views disability as a state that occurs when the “fit” between an individual and environment is not appropriate (Art #5 PP). The social model, “emphasizes the role of the environment and the interaction between the person and environment in the disability process” (Art #5 pp. 200) The WHO integrated these two opposing models of disability, and developed the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) The ICF offers a biopsychosocial model of disability that combines elements of the social and medical …show more content…
Environmental factors can be seen as barriers or facilitators to achieving optimal health for those in the physical disability community. The ICF defines environmental factors as “the physical, social and attitudinal environments” in which people live and conduct their lives” (CDC.gov, 2015). Environmental factors can either be: facilitators which enhance one’s ability to participate or barriers which inhibit participation. They have also been cclassified into five categories: “products and technology; natural environment and human made changes to environment; support and relations; attitudes; and services, systems, and policies”