Symptom Science & Precision Health

As one of the four research priorities at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, symptom science and precision health are the focus of many of our faculty. This innovative area of study looks beyond diseases themselves, empowering nurses to work more directly with symptoms, understand why they happen and effectively manage them.

By examining the use of symptom science to assess, manage and treat symptoms of chronic health conditions, our faculty are on the leading edge of nursing research. We believe that more informed decisions produce better outcomes for patients — alleviating pain and discomfort as well as helping patients to better manage their own symptoms in the long run.

In making the study of symptom science and precision health a priority, Goldfarb School of Nursing is looking to the future. Our research typically involves the study of patients who have chronic conditions such as sleep disorders, cancer, HIV, obesity or neurological disorders.

Explore the latest research developments by viewing recent publications and learning about our pioneering interdisciplinary collaborations.

According to the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), precision health care, also known as precision medicine, is defined as “an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person.” Like symptom science, advancing this area of nursing research and practice leads to a higher standard of care for patients, who benefit from a more personalized approach to intervention and treatment.
 

Publishing research is an important part of advancing nursing science. Learn more about faculty specialties through their latest publications and by visiting individual profile pages.

Judy Frain, PhD, RN (HIV, Sleep Disorders)

• Frain, J.A. (2017): Preparing every nurse to become an HIV nurse. Nurse Education Today, 458, 129-133

• Frain, J., Barton-Burke, M., Bachman, J., Kuei-Hsiang, H., King, M.D., Klebert, M., & Frain, M. (2013). A Comparison of Medication Management Between Older and Younger Adults Living with HIV. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 25(5), 414-426.

• Overton, T., Azad, T., Parker, N., Shaw, D., Frain, J. Spitz, T., & Ances, HB. (2013): The Alzheimer’s disease-8 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment as Screening Tools for Neurocognitive Impairment in HIV-Infected Person. Journal of NeuroVirology, 19(1), 109-116.

• Barton-Burke, M., Carroll, M., Headley, J., & Frain J. (2012). Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances: Symptoms That Cluster and Adversely Affect Quality of Life. Quality of Life: Theory, Research and Practice. C. King & P. Hinds (eds). 3rd ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Judy Frain
 

The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine is collaborating with our researchers to develop a genetic database offering unparalleled insights into the post-treatment symptoms of breast cancer survivors.

By drawing blood, obtaining data on symptoms and following participants for five years, we’re learning which symptoms patients are more at risk for based on their genetics and hope to discover how symptoms change over time. Thanks to this long-term collaboration, Goldfarb School of Nursing is expanding symptom management research and precision healthcare to include this understudied population.