Contemporary perceptions and meanings of ‘the medical model’ amongst NHS mental health inpatient clinicians

Debates within health care and public spheres have, at times, created a seeming 'divide' between biological and psychosocial determinants and management of mental health difficulties. The phrase 'medical model' is often held up as an example and is sometimes used pejoratively to infer over-reliance on biology and medication. Our objective was to explore inpatient mental health clinicians' perceptions of the definition and the application of a 'medical model' in contemporary mental health care. In this qualitative study, eighteen clinicians working in adult inpatient teams participated in three mixed focus groups. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Three core themes were identified: (i) power of a 'medical model' and authority of the medic; (ii) responsibility within, and reliance on, a 'medical model'; and (iii) integrated models of contemporary mental health care. Subthemes arose around organisational culture and low resources affecting the power of a 'medical model' and the value of multidisciplinary and person-centred approaches. The findings highlight the importance of recognising inter-professional dynamics and power gradients in mental health teams and organisations, as we begin to move towards more integrated models of collaboration and distributed leadership within the NHS.