ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the pertinent history of the doctor-patient relationship in the Western medical model of care. Noora's case illustrates how practitioners can apply the biopsychosocial model to patients who are seen in primary care settings. Many countries are adopting family medicine as the specialty of choice for the delivery of primary care. Training of primary care physicians benefits from the biopsychosocial behavioral science curriculum that is integral to family medicine training worldwide. The patient within her social sphere is the representation through which the family physician regards behavioral medicine and its importance in enabling the delivery of high-quality and affordable healthcare. Family members provide most of the healthcare in the world, and most beliefs about health are developed within the family network. Evidence shows that the biopsychosocial model and patient-centered care can be taught and applied in primary care settings. The Kalamazoo Consensus Statement delineates the essential elements of doctor-patient communication.
