Psychosomatic Medicine: The Scientific Foundation of the Biopsychosocial Model

Objective: This article presents major concepts and research findings from the field of psychosomatic medicine that the authors believe should be taught to all medical students. Method: The authors asked senior scholars involved in psychosomatic medicine to summarize key findings in their respective fields. Results: The authors provide an overview of the field and summarize core research in basic psychophysiological mechanisms--central nervous system/autonomic nervous system, psychoneuroimmunology, and psychoendocrinology--in three major disease states--cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and HIV virus infections. Conclusions: Understanding the core scientific concepts and research findings of psychosomatic medicine should provide medical trainees with a scientific foundation for practicing medicine within a biopsychosocial model of care.