Association for the Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education

The Association for the Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education (ABSAME) was founded in 1975 as an interdisciplinary professional society dedicated to strengthening behavioral science teaching in medical schools, residency programs, and in continuing medical education. ABSAME traces its origins to four invitational conferences sponsored by the National Institutes of Health in 1969 and 1970. This group concluded their operations in 2017.
The group of physicians and behavioral scientists who made up this association were originally assembled through a program initiated and funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Richard Olmsted (then Chairman of Pediatrics at the University of Oregon) was instrumental in planning and organizing the first conference on behavioral sciences and medical education held in the Allenberry Inn, Boiling Springs, PA. Approximately 20 physicians and 30 behavioral scientists from various disciplines attended. The need to continue was obvious to all. Between May 1969 and November 1970, four conferences were held, three of which were supported by the NICHD. The third conference was supported by the Division of Physician manpower at NIH. On December 9, 1975, ABSAME became legally incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The ABSAME mission statement was to:
The core of ABSAME's membership consisted of physicians and non-physician behavioral scientists whose primary interest lies in enhancing behavioral science teaching at all levels. ABSAME also welcomed membership from faculty members and students in schools of dentistry, public health, nursing, and allied health, as well as medical students, house staff, and graduate students in the behavioral sciences. The organization placed an emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching and colleagueship in the education of health professional.