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Is There a Future for Systems Medicine?

Howard J. Federoff, MD, PhD; Lawrence O. Gostin, JD

JAMA. 2009;302(9):994-996.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Health reform discussions revolve around how best to achieve the goals of cost containment, increased access to care, and improved quality. However, in the current health reform debate, little attention is paid to how medicine is currently taught and practiced. It has long been understood that the fundamental tenets of health arise from understanding the interaction among genomics, the external environment, and behavior. Modern medicine often neglects this comprehensive model and treats disease in isolation, without taking into account the dynamic, integrative systems in the human body. Proponents of a new approach in medical education and practice look toward "systems medicine," which incorporates the complex biochemical, physiological, and environmental interactions that sustain living organisms. Although a holistic approach to medicine should benefit patients and society, consideration of the sociolegal, ethical, and economic implications is essential.

Differing Approaches

Modern Medicine. Modern medical education . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Author Affiliations: Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (Dr Federoff); and O’Neill Institute for National and Global and Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC (Mr Gostin).

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