In Kleinman's Explanatory Model, which question asks about the cause of the problem?

• A. What do you call the problem?
• B. What do you think caused the problem?
• C. Why do you think it started when it did?
• D. What do you fear most about the illness?

Answer: (B)

Understanding a patient’s beliefs about why an illness happens is a key part of Kleinman’s Explanatory Model. The question that asks what the patient thinks caused the problem directly probes etiologic beliefs, which shape how a patient interprets symptoms, seeks help, and adheres to treatment. Identifying these causal attributions lets you address mismatches with biomedical explanations and tailor care to the patient’s perspective.

The other questions target different aspects: what the problem is called (labels or illness identity), why it started when it did (onset and course), and what the patient fears about the illness (emotional response). Those are important for a full understanding, but they don’t specifically uncover the causal belief that drives interpretation and management decisions.