A Medico-historical Review on Biomedicine and Its Limitations and Problems

Lee, Tae Jun

Abstract

Biomedicine is a conceptualized technical term for current medicine in a historical perspective. Physics, chemistry and biology are considered to be the sciences basic to biomedicine. This medical model depends essentially on a mechanistic approach based on understanding of the structure and function of the body. The biomedical model assumes that illness can be explained in terms of morphological, physiological and biochemical derangements or dysfunctions(a reductionist concept of disease). As medicine of primitive ages and ancient times can be conceptualized in terms of witch-philosophical medicine, medicine of the Middle Ages can be conceptualized in terms of religious medicine. The early steps by which modern medical sciences have been gradually built up appeared in the 10th and 17th century. In those ages direction and methodology forward scientific medicine were established. Medicine of Renaissance ages can be conceptualized in terms of religious medicine. The early steps by which modern medical sciences have been gradually built up appeared in the 10th century. In those ages direction and methodology forward scientific mechanical medicine. Remarkable progress has been made in biomedicine in the last three centuries. There has been a rapid change of society in this century, and sciences and technology play a leading role in the changes. The technical explosion in modern society has exerted a great influence on medical field. Hospital care has gained its strength from armament of technical facilities. This type of delivery of medical care leads to costly medical expenses and dehumanizing medical care. Pattern of mortality and morbidity neglect the demographic transformation of industrial societies. Demographic changes lead to fundamental changes in disease pattern. Medical problems that are a complex mixture of physical, psychological and social elements have noticeably increased recently. A biomedical approach appears to be inadequate for such a pattern of disease. A new biopsychosocial medical model is put forward. This model is assisted by the formulations of general system theory(Von Bertanffy). As of today when we are approaching the 21st century, traditional medical education, medical training, and medical services are needed to make up for its weak points in terms of biopsychosocial medical model.