Evidence-based medicine is defined as "The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making clinical decisions about the care of patients...(thereby) integrating individual clinical care with the best available clinical evidence from systematic review."* Although most clinical interventions in behavioral medicine are based on evidence, the current evidence-based medicine movement evaluates treatments according to strict, explicit criteria. Unfortunately, many articles in our field cannot be appraised using these methods because current conventions in reporting studies exclude many of the specific details needed to judge the quality of evidence presented.

*Eddy DM. Evidence-based clinical improvements. Presentations at "Directions for success: Evidence-based health care symposium" sponsored by Group Health Cooperative, May 7-9, 2001. Tucson, AZ.

Although evidence-based medicine is a relatively new field, it is a quickly growing one in which the behavioral medicine community is eager to participate. Many of us within behavioral medicine have extensive methodological training that will be put to good use in this effort.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine (EBBM) Committee works hard to influence the direction and course of evidence-based practice and research within behavioral medicine. The EBBM committee organizes efforts within SBM and works with other scientific and professional organizations to promote evidence-based practice. Browse through the EBBM Committee’s activities and resources to learn more about their work.

Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice Learning Modules

The Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice (EBBP) project provides researchers, practitioners, educators, and others with a valuable toolbox. Resources include interactive online learning modules that demonstrate how to conduct the EBBP process with clients and communities. Other tools convey how to keep up with the latest evidence, appraise which interventions are effective, and conduct randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews. Teaching resources and syllabi are available as well.

EBBP Learning modules offer continuing education credits for many types of behavioral medicine professionals. Learn more about the EBBP project and learning modules and then visit the EBBP website to access the modules and get started today.