Do you want to know more about the biopsychosocial approach?
By Peter D Werth BAppSc(Chiro)

Most of us have heard of the biopsychosocial approach to patient care – but do we really know what it is, its value in treating patients and how to implement it into your practice?

How would you like to learn all of this from the comfort of your own home or office when it suits you?

COCA is pleased to announce the release of its latest distance education module: Current Psychosocial Theories and Interventions for Chiropractors and Osteopaths.

This module was authored by Dr Stanley Innes BAppSc(Chiro), BA(Hons), Mpsych who is qualified both as a chiropractor and psychologist, and hence has a unique perspective of the needs of the practising chiropractor and osteopath when it comes to patient care.

In his introduction Dr Innes states;

“The belief that all pain is typically a direct result of tissue damage and that work or activity is to be feared has held sway since the early 20th Century. This type of thinking was dominated by biomedical concepts. Over recent years an extensive body of research has evolved showing that while biological indices are important, they represent only part of the defining factors for the diagnosis and management of disease. The biomedical model has been built upon and is now seeking to include psychological and social factors. This biopsychosocial approach states that ill health and disease are the result of an interaction between biological, psychological and social factors. The biopsychosocial model describes the psychological and social effects of disease risk, prevention, treatment compliance, morbidity, quality of life and survival. It prescribes a careful but streamlined approach that can be applied to back pain in clinical settings. It involves using creative psychosocial approaches to identify and overcome barriers to recovery. It recommends a variety of interventions with the primary aim being to keep back pain sufferers functional, at work and engaged in life. An active life should hold a greater allure than disability and invalidity.”

This module will assist you, and your patients, to manage their pain and disability using the latest evidence to improve outcomes.

This module has been specifically written to meet your needs in practice, and should be on your “to do” list for the start of 2008. Why not do it today?

You can obtain the module online at www.coca.com.au.