Abstract
Psychosomatic Medicine has varied definitions and connotations but since 2005 Psychosomatic Medicine, previously denoted as consultation-liaison psychiatry has been approved as a formal subspecialty of psychiatry. Psychosomatic Medicine focuses upon the psychiatric aspects of the medically ill patient. Such clinical problems are complicated due to the interaction of medical; psychological issues and sociocultural elements. The Perspectives of Psychiatry, written by McHugh and Slavney offers an organizing principle for the Psychosomatic specialist. Considering the logic of the disease model; the life story; the role of dimensions, and the behavioral perspective the clinician can integrate the symptoms and behaviors that are seen within a psychiatric consultation service. © 2011 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.