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Some structural changes that might facilitate the development of behavioral medicine
1Behavioral Medicine Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|August 1, 1992
Summary
To advance behavioral medicine, key organizational changes are needed. These include establishing dedicated departments, fostering cross-center research collaborations, and evolving scientific societies to ensure broad impact in medicine.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Medicine
- Health Psychology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Behavioral medicine is crucial for addressing complex health issues.
- The field requires strategic development to maximize its impact.
- Current structures may limit the scope and effectiveness of behavioral medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify critical organizational changes for advancing behavioral medicine.
- To explore the role of academic departments, research collaborations, and scientific societies.
- To prevent the field from becoming overly specialized and losing broader medical relevance.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of organizational structures.
- Review of potential changes in academic and scientific society roles.
- Argumentation for specific developmental pathways in behavioral medicine.
Main Results:
- Proposes the establishment of a Department of Behavioral Medicine as a critical first step.
- Highlights the importance of inter-center research collaborations for diverse expertise.
- Suggests evolving the role and organization of scientific societies.
Conclusions:
- Organizational changes are essential for the growth of behavioral medicine teaching, practice, and research.
- Without these changes, behavioral medicine risks a narrow focus and reduced impact.
- Strategic evolution of departments, collaborations, and societies is recommended for the next decade.