Society Of Behavioral Medicine Research Articles

Society of Behavioral Medicine's (SBM) position on emerging policy issues regarding electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS): A need for regulation.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), are widely available in the USA, yet almost entirely unregulated on a national level. Researchers are currently gathering data to understand the individual and public health effects of ENDS, as well as the role that ENDS may play in tobacco treatment. Given these uncertainties, regulatory efforts should be aimed at understanding and minimizing any potential harms of ENDS. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) supports stronger regulation of ENDS, incorporation of ENDS into clean air policies, and special consideration of safety standards to protect vulnerable populations. SBM also supports research on ENDS to guide policy decisions.

Special series on "The meaning of behavioral medicine in the psychosomatic field" establishment of a core curriculum for behavioral science in Japan: The importance of such a curriculum from the perspective of psychology.

This article discusses the core curriculum for behavioral science, from the perspective of psychology, recommended by the Japanese Society of Behavioral Medicine and seeks to explain how the curriculum can be effectively implemented in medical and health-related departments. First, the content of the core curriculum is reviewed from the perspective of psychology. We show that the curriculum features both basic and applied components and that the basic components are closely related to various aspects of psychology. Next, we emphasize two points to aid the effective delivery of the curriculum: 1) It is necessary to explain the purpose and significance of basic components of behavioral science to improve student motivation; and 2) it is important to encourage student self-efficacy to facilitate application of the acquired knowledge and skills in clinical practice.

Key aims of the special series "the meaning of behavioral medicine in the psychosomatic field".

The practice of psychosomatic medicine is closely related to that of behavioral medicine, particularly in terms of the bio-psycho-social aspect of health, as has been demonstrated in the previous articles of BioPsychoSocial Medicine [1–3]. Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field combining medicine, psychology and social science, and the integration of behavioral medicine with psychosomatic medicine would contribute to the understanding of psychosomatic phenomena in terms of treatment and the prevention of disease [4]. Such integration has been gradually achieved in fields of research and clinical practice during recent 50 years, but not yet satisfactory in terms of research and clinical practice. For example, among the major psychosomatic medicine journals, the percentage of articles focusing on behavioral medicine [MeSH] was estimated by a PubMed search in September 2015, and the results were as follows; 4.5 % (=212/4706) for “Psychosomatic Medicine”, 3.7 % (=164/4388) for “Psychosomatics”, 2.9 % (=129/4488) for “Journal of Psychosomatic Research”, and 2.2 % (=60/2768) for =2.2 %. It was 8.8 % (=16/181) for this journal, “BioPsychoSocial Medicine”, which was launched in 2007. In the same way, the percentage of articles focusing on psychosomatic OR mind/body [text word] was estimated for the major behavioral medicine journals, and the results were as follows; 2.3 % (=12/531) for “Behavioral Medicine”, 1.3 % (=11/856) for “International Journal of Behavioral Medicine”, and 0.7 % (=12/1626) for Journal of Behavioral Medicine. The percentages were smaller than those of the psychosomatic medicine journals. These figures mean that it is necessary for specialists engaging in psychosomatic medicine not only to sharpen their own research into behavioral medicine but also to broaden their findings toward specialists in behavioral medicine. Psychosomatic medicine encompasses all aspects of the interrelationships between the biological, psychological, social, and behavioral factors of health and illness, and is not limited to mind and body connections in humans. Thus, it is meaningful that behavioral and social aspects of health and illness are discussed in the current issue of this journal [1]. In Japan, a total of 80 medical schools exist, and curriculums for medical students have been changed in accordance with international standards. In the revised curriculums, aspects of behavioral and social sciences must be included and it is a great chance to facilitate behavioral medicine. In these circumstances, the Japanese Society of Behavioral Medicine established a working group to develop a core curriculum for behavioral medicine and has discussed the clinical, psychological, and public health aspects of behavioral medicine. Specifically, two purposes are intended in this special series. The first is to summarize the behavioral and social aspects of health and illness in the psychosomatic filed in order to achieve full cooperation among different specialists in terms of prevention and treatment of psychosomatic illnesses as well as promotion of mind/body health. The second is to emphasize the importance of education on behavioral medicine, exemplified by the establishment of a core curriculum for behavioral medicine in Japanese medical schools.

A behavioral science/behavioral medicine core curriculum proposal for Japanese undergraduate medical education.

Behavioral science and behavioral medicine have not been systematically taught to Japanese undergraduate medical students. A working group under the auspices of Japanese Society of Behavioral Medicine developed an outcome-oriented curriculum of behavioral science/behavioral medicine through three processes: identifying the curriculum contents, holding a joint symposium with related societies, and defining outcomes and proposing a learning module. The behavioral science/behavioral medicine core curriculum consists of 11 units of lectures and four units of practical study. The working group plans to improve the current core curriculum by devising formative assessment methods so that students can learn and acquire attitude as well as the skills and knowledge necessary for student-centered clinical practice.

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: SBM supports the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable's (NCCRT) call to action to reach 80% colorectal cancer screening rates by 2018.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) urges stakeholders to support the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable's (NCCRT) initiative 80% by 2018. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely preventable with early detection of pre-cancerous polyps but CRC screening is underutilized, especially among the underserved. In response to low screening rates, this initiative sets an important goal of a population screening rate of 80% in adults ages 50 and older by the year 2018. It is estimated that this screening rate could prevent more than 20,000 CRC deaths per year within 15years. The initiative takes a multilevel approach to improving screening rates and includes recommendations for clinicians, health care organizations, insurers, policymakers, and researchers.

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: SBM supports increased efforts to integrate community health workers into the patient-centered medical home.

Integrating community health workers (CHWs) into health care systems has been associated with enhanced patient experience, improved population health, and reduced costs and unnecessary utilization of resources. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), care provided by CHWs is eligible for reimbursement. However, optimal integration of CHWs into health care requires purposeful implementation. This health policy brief is focused on the benefits of integrating CHWs specifically into the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). CHWs in the PCMH can serve as primary providers of culturally relevant information and advocacy, assist providers in understanding the influence of patients' environment on disease management, and enhance motivation for self-care management among patients with chronic diseases. Despite the important role of CHWs, there are some barriers to integration into existing systems of care. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) recommends overcoming these barriers by establishing standards that ensure a skilled CHW workforce, clearly defining roles for CHWs, and expanding the scope of reimbursable prevention and primary care services to include those provided by CHWs.

Enhancing the Evidence for Behavioral Counseling: A Perspective From the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) clinical guidelines at present rarely assign the highest grade recommendation to behavioral counseling interventions for chronic disease prevention or risk reduction because of concerns about the certainty and quality of the evidence base. As a result, the broad integration of behavioral counseling interventions in primary care remains elusive. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel perspectives on how to generate the highest-quality and -certainty evidence for primary care-focused behavioral counseling interventions. As members of the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM)--a multidisciplinary scientific organization committed to improving population health through behavior change--we review the USPSTF mandate and current recommendations for behavioral counseling interventions and provide a perspective for the future that calls for concerted and coordinated efforts among SBM, USPSTF, and other organizations invested in the rapid and wider uptake of beneficial, feasible, and referable primary care-focused behavioral counseling interventions. This perspective highlights five areas for further development, including (1) behavioral counseling-focused practice-based research networks; (2) promotion of USPSTF evidence standards and the increased use of pragmatic RCT design; (3) quality control and improvement procedures for behavioral counseling training; (4) systematic research on effective primary care-based collaborative care models; and (5) methodologic innovations that capitalize on disruptive technologies and healthcare transformation. Collective efforts to improve the health of all Americans in the 21st century and beyond must ensure that effective, feasible, and referable behavioral counseling interventions are embedded in modern primary care practice.

Background and rationale for the Society of Behavioral Medicine's position statement: expand United States health plan coverage for diabetes self-management education and support.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) recognizes that diabetes self-management (DSM) education and support are fundamental to teaching people how to manage their diabetes and decrease disease-related complications. Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides an opportunity to expand DSM education and support to many people who are currently excluded from such services due to lack of insurance coverage, current policy barriers, or simple failure of healthcare systems to provide them. Extending the range and provision of such services could translate into reduced diabetic complications, a reduction in unnecessary healthcare utilization, and significant health-related cost savings on a national level. SBM recommends that public and private insurers be required to reimburse for 12h of DSM education and support annually for anyone with diabetes. Further, SBM recognizes that a range of modes and providers of DSM education and support have been shown effective, and that patient preferences and resources may influence choice. To address this, SBM urges health organizations to increase and diversify approaches toward DSM education and support they offer.

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: SBM supports retaining healthy school lunch policies.

Schools are recognized as venues for population-based health promotion and chronic disease prevention initiatives targeting children, and the school food environment is a central component. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 utilized research-based findings and expert recommendations to significantly improve school lunch standards in the kindergarten to twelfth grade (K-12) setting to enhance the nutritional intake and ultimately the health of children. The new guidelines include increasing the availability of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; requiring children to select a fruit or vegetable daily; and restricting serving sizes. There is currently no evidence that the revised standards have increased school lunch plate waste. However, there is evidence that children are consuming more healthful foods. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) supports retaining current school lunch standards set by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. SBM also supports increasing the evidence-based by evaluating the implementation and impact of the school lunch revisions.

Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement: early care and education (ECE) policies can impact obesity prevention among preschool-aged children.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) urges policymakers to help prevent childhood obesity by improving state regulations for early care and education (ECE) settings related to child nutrition, physical activity, and screen time. More than three quarters of preschool-aged children in the USA attend ECE settings, and many spend up to 40 h per week under ECE care. ECE settings provide meals and snacks, as well as opportunities for increasing daily physical activity and reducing sedentary screen time. However, many states' current policies do not adequately address these important elements of obesity prevention. A growing number of cities and states, child health organizations, medical and early childhood associations, and academic researchers are beginning to identify specific elements of policy and regulations that could transform ECE settings into environments that contribute to obesity prevention. Let's Move! Child Care recommends a set of straightforward regulations addressing nutrition, physical activity, and screen time in ECE settings. These emerging models provide local and state leaders with concrete steps to implement obesity prevention initiatives. We provide a set of recommendations based upon these models that will help state and local policymakers to improve current policies in ECE settings.

The window of opportunity for indoor tanning legislation.

As of August 2014, 11 states in the USA have passed under-age-18 bans on indoor tanning. The Society of Behavioral Medicine, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all issued statements in support of an under-age-18 ban. The World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration have both declared indoor tanning devices as carcinogenic, and this year, the Surgeon General for the first time issued a warning on the dangers of UV radiation and indoor tanning. This essay highlights how the awareness of the risks of indoor tanning, effective policies, and a conducive political atmosphere have aligned to create a window of opportunity for further under-age-18 indoor tanning legislation. The rising number of preventable skin cancers and mortalities is an issue that transcends political party lines, and now, there is a need for support from health professionals and advocates to motivate legislators to push new under-age-18 bills past their sticking points.

Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement: elementary school-based physical activity supports academic achievement.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) urges elementary schools to provide children with ample opportunities to engage in physical activity during school hours. In addition to promoting overall child health, physical activity also supports academic achievement. In addition to improving their aerobic fitness, regular physical activity improves cognitive function, influences the brain, and improves mood in children. Better aerobic fitness and physical activity are associated with increased grade point averages and standardized test scores. Despite the documented relationship between physical activity, fitness, and academic achievement, few schools have implemented physical activity as a tool to improve academic performance. SBM recommends that elementary schools provide children with the recommended 60min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during school hours. Further, SBM urges schools to work with the local school districts and state education departments to mandate minimum physical activity time for elementary school physical education.

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: ban indoor tanning for minors

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM), an interdisciplinary professional organization focused on the science of health behavior joins the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a host of other national and international organizations in support of a total ban on indoor tanning for minors under the age of 18. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation are in the highest category of carcinogens, joining tobacco and asbestos. Strong evidence links indoor tanning to increased risk for melanoma with repeated exposure during childhood being associated with the greatest increase in risk. Several countries and five US states have passed legislation banning indoor tanning in minors. We strongly encourage the remaining US states to do the same in an effort to protect children and prevent new cases of melanoma. SBM also strongly encourages research that explores the use of tanning beds in the home. Home-based indoor tanning has the potential to be especially dangerous given the complete absence of safety regulations. Children are currently protected from exposure to health-harming substances like tobacco and lead; thus, legislation protecting them from artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation is yet another important step forward in improving public health.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement on the CMS decision memo on intensive behavior therapy for obesity

In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a decision to cover intensive behavior therapy for obesity in the primary care setting. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) Public Policy Leadership Group reviewed the CMS decision and has issued a position statement. SBM is in support of the CMS decision to cover intensive behavior therapy for obesity but expresses significant concern that aspects of the decision will severely limit the impact of the decision. Concerns focus on the degree to which this care can be feasibly implemented in its current form given the limitations in providers who are covered and the short length of counseling visits relative to evidence-based protocols. SBM is in strong support of modifications that would include providers who have expertise in weight control (e.g., psychologists and dietitians) and to expand the treatment time to better match protocols with confirmed efficacy.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) and public policy advocacy: a call to action

In 2010, the Society of Behavioral Medicine heightened its priority to take an even more active role in influencing health-related public policy. Here we discuss the importance of behavioral medicine presence in public policy initiatives, review a brief history of SBM's involvement in public policy, describe steps SBM is now taking to increase its involvement in health-related public policy, and finally, put forth a call to action for SBM members to increase their awareness of and become involved in public policy initiatives.

国际行为医学会主席Norito Kawakami教授在第十二次全国行为医学学术会议上的讲话

Hello and Niihao, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen It is my real pleasure to attend this conference of Chinese Society of Behavioral Medicine and meet all of you, as the President of International Society of Behavioral Medicine, ISBM.I deeply appreciate Prof。

The Role of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Behavioral Medicine: Introduction to the Special Issue

Behavioral medicine focuses on assessment, treatment, and prevention of medical problems and promotion of health, using the behavioral sciences (e.g., International Society of Behavioral Medicine). Behavioral medicine is strongly rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) both historically and in its use of CBT theories and techniques. The articles from the present special issue present the relation between cognition and behavior in both basic research and intervention studies. These articles extend the role of CBT into medical and public health settings, thereby expanding the ability of CBT therapists to help patients with medical problems and those who are at high risk for developing medical problems.

Family Communication During the Cancer Experience

The family is often the primary support unit for the cancer patient. We are beginning to understand the impact of a cancer diagnosis on the family, but we are still far from understanding the complex process of how and why information is communicated within families during and after a cancer diagnosis. As survival rates increase and treatments become more complex, understanding how to improve communication processes within the family will become even more vital to supporting families and improving patient outcomes. In this article, we present the results of a 2-hour working group convened during a cancer communications workshop held at the 2008 Society of Behavioral Medicine meeting. During the session, an interdisciplinary group of investigators met and discussed the current state of the science with respect to familial communication during the cancer experience. We focused our discussion on four general areas: current state of the research, theoretical perspectives, methodological perspectives, and areas for future research and intervention in order to understand family communication in this context. Currently, most research has focused on couples and caregivers, mainly in the context of breast cancer. More research is needed into a wider array of cancers and expanding our theoretical foundations into understanding communication between other family members and approaching the family as a unit. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for three content areas to focus future research and intervention development efforts, namely, (1) familial life course, (2) technological advances, and (3) changing structure of the family.

Mass Media and Marketing Communication Promoting Primary and Secondary Cancer Prevention

People often seek and receive cancer information from mass media (including television, radio, print media, and the Internet), and marketing strategies often inform cancer information needs assessment, message development, and channel selection. In this article, we present the discussion of a 2-hour working group convened for a cancer communications workshop held at the 2008 Society of Behavioral Medicine meeting in San Diego, CA. During the session, an interdisciplinary group of investigators discussed the current state of the science for mass media and marketing communication promoting primary and secondary cancer prevention. We discussed current research, new research areas, methodologies and theories needed to move the field forward, and critical areas and disciplines for future research.

Where Is the Patient in Diabetes Performance Measures?

Health policies are important determinants of clinician and patient behavior, and an important policy issue is what items are included in healthcare quality and performance measures. There is consensus that patient-centered care and self-management support are essential evidence-based components of good diabetes care. However, most major diabetes performance measures such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)/American Diabetes Association (ADA) Provider Recognition Program indexes have not included self-management or psychosocial items. We review the case for and propose a set of patient-centered, self-management indicators to be included as a standard part of diabetes quality indicators. The proposed indicators include: patient self-management goal(s), measures of health behaviors (e.g., healthy eating, medication taking, physical activity, and smoking status), quality of life, and patient-centered collaborative care. We discuss the evidence and the concerns about patient-report measures and summarize successful incorporation of such patient-centered measures in other countries and by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). The adage that "what gets measured, gets done" applies to diabetes management and many other areas of healthcare. Inclusion of the proposed indicators in national diabetes performance measures would be consistent with Institute of Medicine (IOM), ADA, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes, and Needs (DAWN), AADE, and Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) recommendations. Such action would enhance both the priority and delivery of quality, patient-centered care, and diabetes self-management support.