Welcome Message

Greetings,

Translational research as defined by the National Institutes of Health is:
“To improve human health, scientific discoveries must be translated into practical applications. Such discoveries typically begin at ‘the bench’ with basic research in which scientists study disease at a molecular or cellular level – then progress to the clinical level or the patient’s ‘bedside.’ Scientists are increasingly aware that this bench to bedside approach to translational research is a two-way street. Basic scientists provide clinicians with new tools for use in patient care and for assessment of their impact, and clinical researchers make novel observations about the nature and progression of disease that often stimulate basic investigations”
(http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/clinicalresearch/overview-translational.asp).

To crystallize ideas and develop tangible strategies to advance efforts in behavioral science, the ABSAME 2007 Annual Meeting will focus on translational research with an emphasis on translating new approaches into patient care. Overarching goals of the conference will include the application of ideas and discoveries in scientific inquiry to the treatment and prevention of human disease. Synthesizing and reporting knowledge which characterizes translational research - Bridging Bench to Bedside - is a core theme of the conference.

The theme is inspired by and will contribute to the National Institutes of Health’s effort to increase clinical and translational research. Translational research has the potential for innovative discoveries and outcomes to improve patient care. It is concerned with studies at the interface of the bench (i.e., laboratory research) to bedside (i.e., clinical application). This interface requires close interaction and information exchange between scientists and clinicians. While basic research informs us about biological processes, it typically does not focus on health outcomes. Translational research provides a bridge between basic research and clinical research with an emphasis on patient care.

The establishment of Translational Research Centers at twelve academic health centers across the United States has helped to support collaborative, multi-institution initiatives to increase interaction between basic and clinical scientists. Studies involving translational research contribute to the understanding of chronic diseases, their etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, translation involves taking knowledge from clinical research to real-world practice and successfully applying and adapting the findings to these less than ideal settings and environments.

We look forward to seeing you in Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Denise D. Gibson, Ph.D.
Nicole Borges, Ph.D.
2007 Program Co-Chairs

Audience

• Physicians, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, nurses, public health practitioners, social workers, and other professionals and/or behavioral scientists engaged in medical education and practice. • Investigators who wish to present their work to a cross-disciplinary membership for critique and dialog. • Medical school and residency level faculty who wish to explore and develop teaching skills and new curricula in the behavioral sciences. • Medical students and house staff planning a career in family medicine, primary-care, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, or preventive medicine.

Membership in ABSAME

Annual membership dues are $125 for regular members and $50 for student members. Institutional memberships which entitle your institution to five individual memberships are available for $550 per year. Membership year is from July 1 to June 30.

Payment of registration fee at non-member rate provides ABSAME membership for 2007-2008 year.