Outlook | Newsletter of the Society of Behavioral Medicine

EBBM SIG Update

Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, PhD, EBBM SIG Co-Chair
Karen Oliver, PhD, EBBM SIG Co-Chair
Quinn Neugebauer, EBBM SIG Outlook Liaison

The Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine Special Interest Group (EBBM SIG) has grown over 30% during the past year, and now includes about one-quarter of SBM's members! Thank you for supporting the importance of creating, enriching, teaching, and disseminating evidence in behavioral medicine.

Our leadership team, Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, PhD, and Karen Oliver, PhD, Co-chairs, have implemented a number of new initiatives this year, and look forward to both growing and sustaining them during the coming year. At the 2012 SBM Annual Meeting, we organized four presentations, a new record for our SIG. We co-sponsored a well-attended pre-conference session entitled, "Adapting Evidence-Based Strategies for Weight Management to Underserved Populations" (EBBM SIG planning chair, Elena T. Carbone, DrPH), alongside the Ethnic Minority and Multicultural Health SIG (Chairs: Eleshia J.P. Morrison, MA, and Luz M. Garcini, MA). Led by an expert panel, including Rachel Ballard-Barbash, MD, MPH, Judith D. DePue, EdD, MPH, Sherry L. Pagoto, PhD, and Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, Phd, we also had the opportunity to dance to a syncopated beat during the session (that some of us sedentary folks felt lasted longer than it actually did!).

Our mid-day session, co-sponsored with the Cancer SIG (Chair: Michael A. Diefenbach, PhD), introduced the SEER-MHOS, a novel linked database that includes data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) that provides information about the health-related quality of life of Medicare health plan enrollees. The session also explored the applications of the Colon Cancer Family Registry (C-CFR) and Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) registries for behavioral research. The session was extremely well attended as our presenters, Steven B. Clauser, PhD, Corinne R. Leach, PhD, MPH, and Jan Lowery, PhD, joined by Keith M. Bellizzi, PhD, MPH, led a spirited interchange that expanded past our hour.

Finally, we led a symposium entitled, "A tale of three systematic reviews: what have we learned about reducing pain, depression, and fatigue among cancer survivors?" In addition to sharing the state-of-the science on the efficacy of psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions on reducing pain, depressive symptoms, and cancer-related fatigue among cancer survivors, the symposium spurred a lively debate both prior to and during the presentations. Collaboration between the EBBM SIG and the EBBM Committee (Chair: Paul B. Jacobsen, PhD) provided peer review throughout the planning process. At least two publications in high impact journals have already resulted from the work^1,2; in addition, many of the collaborative relationships formed during our years of work on these papers have remained (even strengthened) over time, producing other joint publications.

EBBM SIG

(left to right) Karen Oliver (Co-Chair), Job Godino (Awardee), Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin (Co-Chair) of EBBM SIG.

This year, we presented our second annual "Outstanding Student/Trainee Award in Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine," alongside a $250 honorarium, to Job G. Godino, MS (see photo below). Mr. Godino presented a synopsis of his abstract, "Impact of personalized physical activity (PA) feedback on objectively measured PA (the FAB study): a randomized controlled trial" at our breakfast roundtable. The award honors students/trainees whose presentation at the SBM Annual Meeting contributes important evidence to the field of behavioral medicine. Under the able leadership of Amy Janeck, PhD, each student/trainee abstract was rigorously evaluated by the following reviewers: Matthew P. Buman, PhD, Kerstin E.E. Schroder, PhD, Karen Oliver, PhD, and Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, PhD.

Over the coming year, in addition to planning the EBBM SIG's contributions to the SBM Annual Meeting, we will continue to enhance our connection to the EBBM Committee perhaps through a coordinated systematic review. We also plan to meet with SBM's Scientific and Professional Liaison Council (SPLC) to explore affiliations with other national and international organizations that hold similar missions. Given the methodologic skills of many of our members, we will again encourage EBBM SIG involvement in the Consultation Program (developed by the Education, Training, and Career Development Council), broadening mentoring opportunities for other SBM members.

Finally, we will soon be requesting nominations for Co-Chair, as Dr. Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin's term ends next year. Please consider helping to lead the EBBM SIG into the future.

We welcome your involvement in the rapidly growing EBBM SIG, and urge you to contribute to our work on the listserv.

The Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine 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:

(1) Creating an evidence base that allows us to compare treatments, evaluate intervention effects and efficiency, and choose the most promising and feasible intervention strategy for specific client(s). Our members are interested in creating and evaluating guidelines for the conduct and report of randomized controlled trials and other systematic research, conducting meta-analyses and assessing their results, and guiding practitioners in the use of evidence with their clients.

(2) 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.

(3) Translating evidence-based knowledge into evidence-based behavioral practice (EBBP), including: searching the literature; finding the most relevant evidence; and assisting with decision-making around the most promising treatment strategies for client(s).

References

Sheinfeld Gorin S, Krebs P, Badr H, Jancke EA, Jim HS, Spring B, Mohr DC, Berendsen MA, Jacobsen PB. Meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions to reduce pain in patients with cancer. J.Clin Oncol. 2012 Feb 10;30(5):539-47.
Hart SL, Hoyt MA, Diefenbach M, Anderson DR, Kilbourn KM, Craft LL, Steel JL, Cuijpers P, Mohr DC, Berendsen M, Spring B, Stanton AL. Meta-analysis of efficacy of interventions for elevated depressive symptoms in adults diagnosed with cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (in press).


Spring/Summer 2012	Return to Outlook Main page »
EBBM SIG Update Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, PhD, EBBM SIG Co-Chair Karen Oliver, PhD, EBBM SIG Co-Chair Quinn Neugebauer, EBBM SIG Outlook Liaison The Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine Special Interest Group (EBBM SIG) has grown over 30% during the past year, and now includes about one-quarter of SBM's members! Thank you for supporting the importance of creating, enriching, teaching, and disseminating evidence in behavioral medicine. Our leadership team, Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, PhD, and Karen Oliver, PhD, Co-chairs, have implemented a number of new initiatives this year, and look forward to both growing and sustaining them during the coming year. At the 2012 SBM Annual Meeting, we organized four presentations, a new record for our SIG. We co-sponsored a well-attended pre-conference session entitled, "Adapting Evidence-Based Strategies for Weight Management to Underserved Populations" (EBBM SIG planning chair, Elena T. Carbone, DrPH), alongside the Ethnic Minority and Multicultural Health SIG (Chairs: Eleshia J.P. Morrison, MA, and Luz M. Garcini, MA). Led by an expert panel, including Rachel Ballard-Barbash, MD, MPH, Judith D. DePue, EdD, MPH, Sherry L. Pagoto, PhD, and Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, Phd, we also had the opportunity to dance to a syncopated beat during the session (that some of us sedentary folks felt lasted longer than it actually did!). Our mid-day session, co-sponsored with the Cancer SIG (Chair: Michael A. Diefenbach, PhD), introduced the SEER-MHOS, a novel linked database that includes data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) that provides information about the health-related quality of life of Medicare health plan enrollees. The session also explored the applications of the Colon Cancer Family Registry (C-CFR) and Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) registries for behavioral research. The session was extremely well attended as our presenters, Steven B. Clauser, PhD, Corinne R. Leach, PhD, MPH, and Jan Lowery, PhD, joined by Keith M. Bellizzi, PhD, MPH, led a spirited interchange that expanded past our hour. Finally, we led a symposium entitled, "A tale of three systematic reviews: what have we learned about reducing pain, depression, and fatigue among cancer survivors?" In addition to sharing the state-of-the science on the efficacy of psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions on reducing pain, depressive symptoms, and cancer-related fatigue among cancer survivors, the symposium spurred a lively debate both prior to and during the presentations. Collaboration between the EBBM SIG and the EBBM Committee (Chair: Paul B. Jacobsen, PhD) provided peer review throughout the planning process. At least two publications in high impact journals have already resulted from the work^1,2; in addition, many of the collaborative relationships formed during our years of work on these papers have remained (even strengthened) over time, producing other joint publications. (left to right) Karen Oliver (Co-Chair), Job Godino (Awardee), Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin (Co-Chair) of EBBM SIG. This year, we presented our second annual "Outstanding Student/Trainee Award in Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine," alongside a $250 honorarium, to Job G. Godino, MS (see photo below). Mr. Godino presented a synopsis of his abstract, "Impact of personalized physical activity (PA) feedback on objectively measured PA (the FAB study): a randomized controlled trial" at our breakfast roundtable. The award honors students/trainees whose presentation at the SBM Annual Meeting contributes important evidence to the field of behavioral medicine. Under the able leadership of Amy Janeck, PhD, each student/trainee abstract was rigorously evaluated by the following reviewers: Matthew P. Buman, PhD, Kerstin E.E. Schroder, PhD, Karen Oliver, PhD, and Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, PhD. Over the coming year, in addition to planning the EBBM SIG's contributions to the SBM Annual Meeting, we will continue to enhance our connection to the EBBM Committee perhaps through a coordinated systematic review. We also plan to meet with SBM's Scientific and Professional Liaison Council (SPLC) to explore affiliations with other national and international organizations that hold similar missions. Given the methodologic skills of many of our members, we will again encourage EBBM SIG involvement in the Consultation Program (developed by the Education, Training, and Career Development Council), broadening mentoring opportunities for other SBM members. Finally, we will soon be requesting nominations for Co-Chair, as Dr. Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin's term ends next year. Please consider helping to lead the EBBM SIG into the future. We welcome your involvement in the rapidly growing EBBM SIG, and urge you to contribute to our work on the listserv. The Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine 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: (1) Creating an evidence base that allows us to compare treatments, evaluate intervention effects and efficiency, and choose the most promising and feasible intervention strategy for specific client(s). Our members are interested in creating and evaluating guidelines for the conduct and report of randomized controlled trials and other systematic research, conducting meta-analyses and assessing their results, and guiding practitioners in the use of evidence with their clients. (2) 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. (3) Translating evidence-based knowledge into evidence-based behavioral practice (EBBP), including: searching the literature; finding the most relevant evidence; and assisting with decision-making around the most promising treatment strategies for client(s). References Sheinfeld Gorin S, Krebs P, Badr H, Jancke EA, Jim HS, Spring B, Mohr DC, Berendsen MA, Jacobsen PB. Meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions to reduce pain in patients with cancer. J.Clin Oncol. 2012 Feb 10;30(5):539-47. Hart SL, Hoyt MA, Diefenbach M, Anderson DR, Kilbourn KM, Craft LL, Steel JL, Cuijpers P, Mohr DC, Berendsen M, Spring B, Stanton AL. Meta-analysis of efficacy of interventions for elevated depressive symptoms in adults diagnosed with cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (in press).