APA Dictionary of Psychology

the perspective through which patients and health care providers understand and explain a medical condition (e.g., its causes, course, and treatment options). Their respective models can differ significantly, sometimes causing conflict in the therapeutic relationship or illustrating the need for dialogue between a patient and health care provider. For example, an oncologist may view cancer as a disease to be treated only by surgical and medical means, whereas a patient may see cancer as a response to environmental factors that requires the use of alternative methods, such as improved nutrition and ingesting certain herbs. By addressing the divergence between their explanatory models, the provider and patient may be able to jointly develop an effective cancer treatment plan that integrates both biomedical and alternative approaches.