A Systemic Paradigm for the (Mental) Health Profession

A SYSTEMIC PARADIGM FOR THE (MENTAL) HEALTH PROFESSION Historically, health care was the domain of health care professionals, which forged a separation between mind and body. However, psychological processes have significant impacts on our physical health (and visa versa). Therefore, a more holistic, systemic health care perspective is addressed. Behaviour Medicine is an interdisciplinary field, uniting the behavioural sciences with the biomedical sciences. The ‘Biopsychosocial model'' provides a theoretical framework, where an awareness of biological, psychological and social process are important in understanding disease and well-being. The scientific research and practical implications of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) describes how thoughts, perceptions and emotions interchangeably influence the immune system. Constructivism is a holistic philosophical container, linked to Behavioural Medicine with similar ideologies, cementing all the concepts used in this thesis. The research debates the role and therapeutic implications of social workers in this field of health care, proposing that they be known as Health Care Social Workers.