George Libman Engel, M.D., (December 10, 1913 – November 26, 1999) was an American Internist who, along with his colleague John Romano, was instrumental in developing and teaching psychosomatic medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. He was Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is best known for his formulation of the biopsychosocial model, a general theory of illness and healing.
Biopsychosocial models (BPSM) are a class of trans-disciplinary models which look at the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. These models specifically examine how these aspects play a role in a range of topics but mainly psychiatry, health and human development.
The term is generally used to describe a model advocated by George L. Engel in 1977. The model builds upon the idea that "illness and health are the result of an interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors".