Behavioural medicine

Domain IX · Biomedical, neuro & digital · Schwartz, Weiss · 1977

What it is

Behavioural medicine is an interdisciplinary field, not a single therapy. Schwartz and Weiss defined it as the field concerned with developing behavioural-science knowledge and techniques relevant to physical health and illness and applying them to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and…

Format

• Phase 0: referral, role and liaison. Goal: agree with the referring team what behaviour is the target, what the medical regimen is, and who does what. Format: a call or letter; consent to share information. Move on when the regimen and your role are clear in writing.
• Phase 1: assessment (1–2 sessions). Goals: assess the person's health in relation to the behaviour so that recommended actions are appropriate; assess the target behaviour with validated tools where available; assess physical and psychological capability, physical, economic and social context, and…

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• Credentials. In the US, board certification in clinical health psychology is awarded by the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology, a member board of ABPP, after verification of education, training and experience and an examination; the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology offers applicants mentoring. Specific degree, licensure and postdoctoral requirements are on ABPP's general requirements pages.…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• device claims that go beyond sources; attribute them.
• unfavourable comparisons. Working: the person copies a modelled step.
• empty reassurance. Working: confidence ratings rise after completed plans.
• recording consent and data storage. Working: coded sessions match the plan.
• choosing for the person. Working: the person picks a target and can say why.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.