[The Aachen liaison model].

The encounter between physician and patient is impregnated by contemporary theories of disease. From the point of view of psychotherapeutic medicine, the physician-patient-relationship fuses normative and relationship-oriented thinking. The disease as the object of treatment is being supplemented by the care for the patient as a subject. The participating observation and the respective reflection are professional tools of the medical carer. The realisation of this point of view in clinical practice is exemplified using the Aachen Psychosomatic model of Liaison. The importance of this model for interdisciplinary cooperation is being discussed.