Symptom Science and Management

Older woman consulting with male health care provider.

Nursing research focused on symptom science ranges from deciphering the etiology of symptoms and symptom clusters to developing novel means of assessing and intervening to reduce their occurrence. Our goal to improve the quality of life of all persons and their families under our care and across the globe.  We do this by preventing or treating as early as possible the symptoms of a disease and/or its treatment, its side effects, and its psychological, social, and spiritual impact. Symptom management is a priority area identified by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health, a critical funding source for Columbia University School of Nursing’s research. Symptom management research in our School particularly focuses on understanding the biological and behavioral aspects of adverse symptoms such as pain, fatigue, depression, and insomnia with the goal of developing new knowledge and strategies for improving patient health and quality of life. Nurses have historically played - and continue to play - a vital role in symptom science research and management.

Researchers

  • Suzanne Bakken, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FIAHSI

    • Alumni Professor of Nursing and Professor of Biomedical Informatics

    Research Approaches: Informatics, Interdisciplinary, Precision Health
    Research Interests: Latino, Self-Management, Informatics, Information Visualization, Precision Health

    Headshot of Suzanne B. Bakken

  • Jean-Marie Bruzzese, PhD

    • Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology (in Nursing) at CUIMC

    Research Approaches: Clinical, Dissemination and Implementation, Interdisciplinary
    Research Interests: Asthma, School-Based, Adolescents, Behavioral Medicine, Intervention, Self-Care

  • Elizabeth J. Corwin, PhD, BSN, MSN

    • Vice Dean for Strategy and Innovation in Research

    Research Approaches: Interdisciplinary, Precision Health, Translational
    Research Interests: The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis, Postpartum Depression, Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Metabolomics, Multiple Chronic Conditions

  • Maureen George, PhD, RN, AE-C, FAAN

    • Associate Professor of Nursing

    Research Approaches: Dissemination and Implementation, Interdisciplinary, Translational
    Research Interests: Adherence, Chronic Disease, Shared Decision-Making, Motivational Interviewing, Qualitative, Health Literacy, Pragmatic Trials

  • Kasey B. Jackman, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

    • Assistant Professor of Nursing

    Research Approaches: Informatics, Interdisciplinary, Precision Health
    Research Interests: Sexual and Gender Minority Populations, Mental Health, Health Disparities

  • Haomiao Jia, PhD

    • Professor of Biostatistics (in Nursing) at CUIMC

    Research Approaches: Comparative Effectiveness, Economic Analysis, Interdisciplinary
    Research Interests: Health-Related Quality of Life, Health Utility, PROMIS, Quality-Adjusted Life Years, Depression, Anxiety, Pain Scale, Activities of Daily Living

  • Rebecca Schnall, PhD, MPH, RN-BC, FAAN

    • Mary Dickey Lindsay Associate Professor of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Assistant Dean for Research Strategy and Faculty Development

    Research Approaches: Clinical, Informatics, Translational
    Research Interests: HIV, Women's Health, Menopause, Co-morbid Conditions, Biomarkers, Stress, Alzheimer's Disease

  • Arlene Smaldone, PhD, CPNP, CDE

    • Professor of Nursing and Dental Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Dean of Scholarship and Research

    Research Approaches: Clinical, Interdisciplinary, Precision Health
    Research Interests: Chronic Illness, Medication Adherence, Adolescents, Health-Related Quality of Life, Transition of Responsibility for Self-Management, Community Health Workers, Tailored Text Messages