Barbara Given

Barbara Given is a University Distinguished Professor in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on the interplay between formal healthcare systems and informal caregiver networks, particularly in oncology and geriatric populations. She has secured over 34 years of NIH funding, including grants from the National Cancer Institute, NIMH, and others.

Dr. Given earned her Ph.D. at MSU, following a BSN and MSN from Ohio State University. Her work centers on caregiver burden, symptom management in chronic disease, and caregiver-patient communication. She developed the Caregiver Burden Instrument, widely used in research and clinical settings across multiple languages.

Key research interests include: 1) caregiver stress and support systems, 2) symptom management in cancer patients, and 3) healthcare coordination challenges in aging populations. Her NIH-funded projects address adherence to oral chemotherapy, fall prevention in cancer survivors, and psychosocial outcomes post-treatment.

Recent articles emphasize innovation in symptom tracking (e.g., text messaging for adherence), caregiver mental health barriers, and longitudinal symptom analysis. Awards/fellowships are not explicitly stated, though her sustained NIH support reflects significant recognition.

Dr. Given advises on grants and mentors nurse researchers. She collaborates on interdisciplinary teams focused on palliative care, gerontology, and technology-based interventions. Her work bridges clinical practice and policy, advocating for integrated care models to reduce caregiver burden.