My Perspective As An RN On The Modern U.S. Health Care System

Written by Chris Corpening, RN, BSN and owner of A Nurse's Tea 4/22/2026

The modern health care delivery system, while technologically advanced, often fails to treat patients as whole individuals. This shortcoming stems largely from the dominance of the Biomedical Model, which prioritizes identifying and eliminating biological causes of disease over understanding the full human experience of illness. Although this model has produced life-saving breakthroughs, it is insufficient on its own. To effectively address today’s health challenges—particularly chronic disease—the United States must adopt a more integrated approach that combines Western medicine with holistic, patient-centered care.

The success of antibiotics illustrates both the strength and the limitation of Western medicine. Antibiotics dramatically reduced mortality from infectious diseases and reinforced the belief that medical science could “conquer” illness through targeted intervention. However, today’s leading health problems are no longer primarily infectious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023), 6 in 10 adults in the United States live with at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 live with two or more. These conditions—such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain—are strongly influenced by lifestyle, behavior, and environmental factors rather than a single pathogen.

Western, or allopathic, medicine remains highly effective in treating acute conditions such as trauma and infection. Yet it is less effective when used alone for chronic illnesses like autoimmune diseases and chronic pain. For example, Vos et al. (2020) found in the Global Burden of Disease Study that chronic pain conditions are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Similarly, Blyth et al. (2019) emphasize that chronic pain is influenced not only by biological injury but also by psychological and social factors, making it difficult to treat through medication alone.

Critics of holistic care argue that Western medicine’s reliance on scientific evidence ensures safety and effectiveness—and they are correct. Modern treatments undergo rigorous testing and have saved countless lives. However, research increasingly supports expanding—not replacing—this model. For instance, Cherkin et al. (2016) conducted a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA and found that mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly improved pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain compared to usual care.

Additional studies support the value of integrated approaches. Tick et al. (2018), in a report for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, concluded that effective chronic pain management requires a multidisciplinary approach, including behavioral therapy, physical rehabilitation, and complementary treatments. Furthermore, Bauer (2018) found that integrative medicine programs at institutions like the Mayo Clinic improved patient satisfaction and health outcomes by addressing lifestyle, stress, and mental health alongside conventional care.

Historical and global perspectives reinforce this broader view of health. Hippocrates emphasized the role of environment and lifestyle in disease centuries ago. Likewise, traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda focus on balance, prevention, and the body’s natural ability to heal. These ideas align closely with the Biopsychosocial Model, first proposed by George Engel (1977), which argues that health outcomes result from interactions among biological, psychological, and social factors.

Skeptics may argue that holistic approaches lack standardization or sufficient scientific validation. This concern is valid and highlights the importance of evidence-based integration. Not all alternative treatments are effective, and some require further research. However, dismissing holistic care entirely ignores a growing body of evidence supporting combined approaches. The goal is not to replace science, but to apply it more comprehensively.

Ultimately, the greatest weakness of the current health care system is not its reliance on science, but its narrow application of it. Patients are not simply collections of symptoms; they are individuals shaped by their environments, behaviors, and mental states. A system that fails to account for these factors cannot fully address the complexity of modern disease.

In conclusion, improving health care in the United States requires more than new drugs or advanced technologies—it requires a shift in perspective. By integrating the strengths of Western medicine with holistic principles, the system can move toward truly patient-centered care. This balanced approach is supported not only by philosophy, but increasingly by scientific research. It offers the potential to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and empower individuals to take an active role in their health.

References

Bauer, B. A. (2018). Integrative medicine in primary care. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 45(2), 305–316.

Blyth, F. M., Huckel Schneider, C., & Traeger, A. C. (2019). Chronic pain epidemiology and its clinical relevance. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 123(2), e333–e343.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Chronic diseases in America.

Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Balderson, B. H., et al. (2016). Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction vs cognitive behavioral therapy on back pain. JAMA, 315(12), 1240–1249.

Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136.

Tick, H., Nielsen, A., Pelletier, K. R., et al. (2018). Evidence-based nonpharmacologic strategies for comprehensive pain care. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Vos, T., Lim, S. S., Abbafati, C., et al. (2020). Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1204–1222.