Behavioral Measurement and Interventions Shared Resource (BMISR)

BEHAVIORAL MEASUREMENT & INTERVENTIONS: ABSTRACT The overall goal of the Behavioral Measurement & Interventions Shared Resource (BMISR) is to ensure availability and delivery of the highest standards of health behavior research resources to support cancer research across the continuum of care. Health behavior in this context is defined as any health behavior (diet, physical activity, sleep, tobacco use, alcohol use, ultraviolet exposure, vaccinations, sexual practices, symptom management, and cancer screening) that impacts cancer-related health and/or outcomes including incidence, recurrence, co-morbidity, and/or quality of life. BMISR has provided support for more than 25 years to University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) investigators with a broad range of service-oriented offerings. BMISR provides professional consultation on behavioral research design, instrument selection and administration, analysis, and interpretation of behavioral data, as well as programming support for behavioral data capture, quality control, management, and output. The service supports the activation of study-specific multimodal software platforms (e.g., telephone, short messaging service, email) for behavioral intervention research, including health coaching. In the area of education, BMISR is committed to training research scientists, personnel, and students at all academic levels in behavioral research methodologies including undergraduate research assistant and expert training and support for graduate students. In addition, the BMISR offers training for investigators utilizing BMISR-collected data and equipment. BMISR’s innovative work includes the development of new instruments, particularly those addressing the cancer burden in UACC’s Catchment Area, such as food and activity questionnaires for Hispanics and American Indians, and digital health messaging systems for use in cancer prevention. BMISR supports the development of new or refined technologies for behavioral measurements and assessment to enhance the scientific rigor of cancer research. During the current project period, BMISR supported 86 unique users, including 24 UACC Members and 11 PIs from nine other NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Results generated from these services supported 29 peer-reviewed publications from UACC Members and the submission of 105 grant applications.