Editorial
The definition and scope of behavioral medicine: discussion, summary and revision
Dekker Joost, Stauder Adrienne, Penedo Frank J.
Published 2017-06-20
Cite as Chin J Behav Med ＆ Brain Sci, 2017,26(06): 485-491. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1674-6554.2017.06.002
Abstract
Background and PurposeThere is a need to update the definition and scope of behavioral medicine in the Charter of ISBM, as the present version was developed more than 25 years ago. The purpose of the present paper is (i) to provide a summary of the international discussion on the proposal for the update of the definition and scope of behavioral medicine; and (ii) to invite Chinese colleagues to contribute to this discussion.
MethodsWe identify issues which need clarification or updating. This leads us to propose an update of the definition and scope of behavioral medicine.
ResultsIssues in need of clarification or updating include the scope of behavioral medicine; the application of behavioral medicine; and the relationship and distinction between behavioral medicine, mental health, health psychology and psychosomatic medicine.
ConclusionWe propose the following updated definition and scope of behavioral medicine: 'Behavioral medicine can be defined as the field characterized by the collaboration among multiple disciplines concerned with the development and integration of biomedical and behavioral knowledge relevant to health and disease, and the application of this knowledge to prevention, health promotion, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and care. The scope of behavioral medicine extends from bio-behavioral mechanisms (i.e. the interaction among biomedical, psychological, social, societal, cultural and environmental processes related to health and disease), to clinical diagnosis and intervention, and to public health. We invite Chinese colleagues to contribute to the continued discussion on the definition and scope of behavioral medicine.
Key words:
Behavioral medicine; Definition; Scope; Discipline
Contributor Information
Dekker Joost
Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1007 MB, the Netherlands; Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland
Stauder Adrienne
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest 1085, Hungary
Penedo Frank J.
Departments of Medical Social Sciences, Psychology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago 60611, USA
