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Objective: While behavior change counseling (BCC) targeting health risk behaviors has shown efficacy for improving patient health outcomes, barriers to knowledge translation have resulted in poor uptake among health care providers (HCPs). This article outlines the development of a new BCC training framework for HCPs, from inception to readiness for efficacy testing. It provides an example of integrated knowledge translation (iKT) used in alignment with the obesity-related behavioral intervention trials model., Method: (a) A modified Delphi process identified essential BCC skills for HCPs; (b) a survey assessed HCP attitudes and training needs; (c) an online competency assessment tool was developed using iKT mixed methods; (d) a training program was developed and refined using a logic model; and (e) the program was optimized using iterative rounds of participant feedback. A future proof-of-concept trial (f) will determine the program's readiness for full efficacy testing., Results: A Delphi panel ( n = 46) identified 11 core BCC competencies for HCPs, defining "motivational communication." The HCP survey ( n = 80) showed willingness to devote 4 hr to introductory training in BCC. The Motivational Communication Competency Assessment Test (MC-CAT: an online, interactive evaluation tool) and a motivational communication training program (MOTIVATOR: accredited for continuing education by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada) were collaboratively developed with knowledge users. The optimization process ( n = 11) provided key feedback, with minor changes being made to the program., Conclusions: In developing a new BCC framework, obstacles to BCC implementation were addressed through an iterative iKT process. This should improve eventual intervention uptake. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: The INTER-Change program aims to use systematic frameworks to develop adjunct behavioral interventions to enhance long-term behavior change and improve outcomes in patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BS). This paper details the program strategies and how engagement of interested parties is shaping the research., Method: The core elements of this work include: (a) A living systematic review of behavioral weight management (BWM) interventions adjunct to BS; (b) Focus groups of interested parties, including patients, healthcare professionals, and administrators, on different aspects of designing and implementing adjunct behavioral interventions; (c) A patient-generated survey to assess needs for behavioral interventions to support BWM; (d) An international eDelphi study involving interested parties to prioritize intervention components and delivery structures; and (e) An international consensus meeting to construct testing intervention protocol(s)., Results: The systematic review revealed that delivering BWM interventions during the postoperative period resulted in better weight maintenance; however, most interventions reviewed were poorly developed, and none included interested parties. Initial themes from ongoing focus groups highlighted nonweight-related outcomes as being key goals of adjunct behavior change interventions, with a strong emphasis on psychological well-being and health-related behaviors. The patient survey will add patients' feedback on current interventions and expectations. Finally, the eDelphi process and international consensus meeting will integrate all the findings to develop more efficient behavioral interventions and appropriate testing protocol(s)., Conclusions: This integrated knowledge translation approach will help ensure that the behavioral adjunct interventions are relevant to interested parties' needs, well-designed, effective, and more likely to be implemented successfully. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The BMRC has initiated a new initiative, the Behavioral Medicine Research Council (BMRC) Scientific Statement papers. The statement papers will move the field forward by guiding efforts to improve the quality of behavioral medicine research and practice and facilitate the dissemination and translation of behavioral medicine research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: The American Heart Association has endorsed depression as a cardiac risk factor and recommends screening as part of routine practice. This has been met with controversy due to inconsistencies in the data linking depression treatment to better cardiovascular outcomes. Our objective was to prospectively assess the association between depression treatment (defined as being prescribed antidepressant medication) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients referred for exercise stress tests., Method: Two thousand three hundred eighty-five consecutive patients presenting for myocardial perfusion exercise stress tests underwent a sociodemographic, medical, and psychiatric interview (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders [PRIME-MD]) and completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). History of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and antidepressant use was self-reported and verified via chart review. Participants followed over an 8.8-year follow up, and information regarding MACE incidence (including cardiac mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, revascularization procedures, cerebrovascular events) was obtained from provincial administrative databases., Results: 8% (n = 190) of the sample were taking antidepressants at baseline, 41% (n = 916) had a history of CVD, and 38.7% (n = 921) had depression according to the PRIME-MD or BDI. Antidepressant treatment was associated with a 30% reduced risk of MACE (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.697; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.504, 0.964]; p = .029). A 46% reduction in risk was associated with antidepressant treatment among those without CVD (HR = 0.542; 95% CI [0.299, 0.981]; p = .043). In depressed patients, a 33% reduction in risk of MACE associated with antidepressant use was seen (adjusted HR = 0.674; 95% CI [0.440, 1.033]; p = .07)., Conclusions: Antidepressants may be cardio-protective among patients presenting for stress testing independent of risk factors including CVD and depression. Results support treating depression with antidepressants in this population to reduce risk of MACE. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Objectives: To examine the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy weight loss (CBTWL) interventions on weight loss, psychological outcomes (eating behaviors [cognitive restraint, emotional/binge eating], and depressive/anxiety symptoms) in adults with overweight or obesity., Methods: To be included, studies had to (a) be randomized controlled clinical trials of a CBTWL intervention versus a comparison intervention; (b) include weight loss and psychological outcomes; and (c) include patients who were at least overweight to obese. This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (Moher, Liberati, Tetzlaff, & Altman & the PRISMA Group, 2009)., Results: Twelve studies (6,805 participants) were included. The average weight loss difference between arms was -1.70 kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.52 to -0.86, I2 = 1%) in favor of CBTWL. The standardized mean difference on cognitive restraint was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.33 to 1.09; I2 = 81%) and -0.32 (95% CI: -0.49 to -0.16; I2 = 0%) for emotional eating in favor of CBTWL. The reduction in depressive symptoms was not statistically different between the groups (-0.10 [95% CI: 0.21 to 0.02], I2 = 36%). Meta-analyses were not possible for anxiety and binge eating., Conclusions: In addition to weight loss, current evidence suggests that CBTWL is an efficacious therapy for increasing cognitive restraint and reducing emotional eating. However, CBTWL does not seem to be superior to other interventions for decreasing depressive symptoms. Future studies should focus on understanding how psychological factors impact weight loss and management. (PsycINFO Database Record, ((c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).)