Dr Oliver Thomson talks with Dr Elena Rocca and Dr Rani Lil Anjum about biomediecalism and reductionism for The Words Matter Podcast CauseHealth Series.
Show Notes
Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.
So in this episode I’m speaking for the final time with
Dr Elena Rocca and
Dr Rani Anjum about Chapter 5, which they co-wrote titled
Complexity, Reductionism and the Biomedical Model (read Chapter 5
here)
The chapter is a comprehensive analysis of some pretty hefty topics, who’s depths are rarely appreciated in day-to-day discussions in healthcare practice or academia. How often do we use terms and concepts such as reductionism or biomedicalism, without really knowing the premises of these positions? Fortunately, Rani and Elena do a great job of laying out these positions clearly so we can all have a greater handle on these theses so as to be more deliberate when using them or dismantling them.
In this episode we talk about:
- What reductionism is in medicine and how this relates to the biomedical model.
- We ask what does it mean to be a reductionist ontologically and epistemologically?
- Biomedicalism is frequently represented or Straw-manned, so we attempt to steel-man reductionism and offer an argument for its strengths, merits and contribution to healthcare.
- The role of the biomedical role in the (over)medicalisation of people (eg burnout into depression).
- The biopsychosocial model, and how this acknowledges complexity in theory and practice but how the CauseHealth approach argues we need to move beyond the BPS model by starting with a change in ontology, and how we can learn from ecology to resist the fragmentation of complexity and preserve it in its wholeness.
- We once again talk about the importance of the patient's narrative and the causal story it can tell.
- Finally we talk about how our ontological bias with respect to causation influence our norms and practice.
As always, I loved talking to Elena and Rani. Our discussion on complexity, biomedicalism and reductionism can help us become aware of our philosophical biases with respect to our practice, allowing us to analyse and reflect on them so we can begin to change them.
If you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring in effective language and communication when managing back pain - ideal for all MSK therapists and students.
Follow Words Matter on:
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
What is The Words Matter Podcast with Oliver Thomson?
The Words Matter Podcast brings you insights, reflections and conversations focused on the latest evidence, theory, philosophy and practice of communication-focused healthcare.
Find out about the more tacit, 'softer' and personal side of clinical practice such as the role of philosophy, beliefs, behaviours, developing therapeutic relationships or the purposeful use of language with people experiencing pain from expert academics, clinicians and researchers from across the world and spanning the musculoskeletal disciplines. This podcast will help you reflect on your own current practice and inform and stimulate you to consider new ways of approaching your practice and patients, to create a better clinical experience and outcomes in people with musculoskeletal pain.
Hosted by Dr Oliver Thomson PhD, an osteopath and Associate Professor who is passionate about researching and educating clinicians on a revised narrative, communication and biopsychosocial approach to musculoskeletal therapy. If you like the podcast, subscribe and check out the online learning and resources at www.wordsmatter-education.com.
Support the show and become a patron https://www.patreon.com/thewordsmatterpodcast