The Medical Model
• Is based on an orientation developed by the medical profession; it assumes that
mental disorders are diseases or illnesses that impair an individual’s ability to
function. The medical model sees the person coming for help as an individual
whose problem is a disease or a sickness. One obvious example of the medical
model’s application to human service problems is its use in treating mental
illness.
The Public Model
• Resembles the medical model in its diagnosis and treatment process, but the
model differs in recipients of services and methodologies of treatment. The
public health model applies a multicausal approach to studying the causes
origins of problems and emphasizes prevention.
The Human Service Model
• Is concerned with the interaction between the individual and the environment,
stressing the need for balance between the two. A primary focus of the human
service model is to provide services that help individuals solve their problems.
According to the human service model, problems are an excepted and even
necessary part of everyday life. The human service model considers the problem
of the individual within the context of the environment.
The public health model bridges the medical and human service models but is more
obviously linked with the medical model. Although recognizing both medical and public
health perspectives, this model focuses on the interpersonal and environmental conflicts
that may result from the problem (e.g., a mental disorder).
All three models are used to deliver services today, and depending on the problem, an
integration of all three models may be most effective. Therefore, these are the
characteristics of each model and a brief history of each and how it is applied.
