Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine

Description/Mission Statement

Evidence based medicine (EBM) is the conscientious, explicit, judicious and reasonable use of modern, best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. Evidence-based behavioral medicine (EBBM) is a branch of EBM that addresses interventions in behavioral medicine including those that promote health and prevent disease (e.g., physical activity promotion, treatment of tobacco dependence), those that promote adherence to evidence-based medicine protocols from prevention of acute and chronic illness care to palliative care, and those that alter the determinants of acute or chronic diseases and conditions.

 

About the EBBM SIG:

The EBBM SIG connects an interdisciplinary group of professionals from all over the world with interests in health promotion, disease prevention, health care, behavioral and psychosocial interventions, and research methodology. While we’re a heterogeneous group, we share an interest in one or more of the following areas:

Creating an evidence base that allows us to compare treatments, evaluate intervention effects and efficiency, and choose the most promising and feasible intervention strategies for specific populations). Our members are interested in creating and evaluating guidance on the conduct and reporting of intervention studies and evidence synthesis and conducting intervention studies, and systematic reviews, including meta-analyses.

Improving research methodology by educating members about the strengths and weaknesses of research strategies and statistical solutions; fostering critical thinking and a rigorous evaluation of the available literature; and discussing how to improve the quality of both the evidence base and evidence-based practice decisions.

Translating evidence-based knowledge into evidence-based behavioral practice, including:  understanding the science by which research findings are successfully translated into practice; guiding practitioners in the use of evidence; and facilitating decision-making around the most promising intervention strategies, including guideline development.

In addition to hosting a business meeting at the annual Society of Behavioral Medicine meeting, the EBBM SIG also helps organize webinars and has a listserv for contact among those interested in EBBM. We encourage all EBBM SIG members join our listserv and to attend our annual business meeting and share their ideas to further the mission and contribute toward the annual programming for the SIG, including participation and planning for symposia, panel discussions, webinars and pre-conference workshops.

 

Opportunities to Engage with the EBBM SIG:

1. Join the SIG roster or to be added or removed from the listserv: Log in to the Members Only section of the SBM website, click My Profile, and then edit the SIG section under the Professional tab. If you have questions or difficulty, email info@sbm.org.  
2. The EBBM SIG also has a leadership committee that meets monthly to discuss SIG activities, including upcoming webinars or annual meeting activities. Contact the SIG chairs to learn more and to get involved.

 

Awards

The EBBM SIG currently offers two awards for accepted submissions to the annual meeting that reflect the core mission of the EBBM SIG. Past winners are listed below.

2023

• Best Systematic Review
  • Abstract 41600: How are interventions targeting Post-Traumatic Growth and Post-Traumatic Stress in cancer survivors? Jessica M. Capaldi, MA; Clinical Research Coordinator, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
• Best Dissemination and Implementation
  • Abstract 11252: A story of an evidence-based mHealth app for HIV care from clinical research to implementation to commercialization. Karen S. Ingersoll, PhD; Professor, University of Virginia.

2022

• Best Systematic Review:
  • Abstract 37441: A systematic review of behaviour change techniques in digital health interventions with midlife women. Hana Sediva; PhD Candidate, University of Westminster.
• Best Dissemination and Implementation
  • Abstract 18951: Qualitative comparative analysis of implementation fidelity of a workplace sedentary behavior intervention.  Krista Leonard, PhD; Postdoctoral Fellow, Arizona State University.