Which statement best describes the medical model?

• A. A provider's goal is to diagnose and treat diseases to improve patient outcomes.
• B. A holistic approach to the patient to meet daily needs.
• C. Decisions about patient care are made primarily by nurses.
• D. Care is focused exclusively on laboratory results.

Answer: (A)

The medical model centers on diagnosing and treating disease in order to improve health outcomes. It views illness as a biological problem to be identified through history, physical examination, and objective tests, then addressed with targeted interventions—medications, procedures, or other therapies—that aim to cure or control the pathology. This approach relies on clinician-led decision making and emphasizes measurable data to guide treatment.

That’s why this statement is the best description: it directly captures the disease-focused, provider-driven aim of diagnosing and treating to improve outcomes. The other descriptions reflect different care paradigms—holistic or biopsychosocial care, nurse-led decision making, or a focus solely on lab results—which do not define the medical model.