Integration of biomarkers to advance precision nursing interventions for family research across the life span

BackgroundIntegrating biomarker measurement into research protocols provides an opportunity for nursing scientists to identify underlying biological mechanisms that contribute to adverse health outcomes and to tailor and test precision nursing interventions.PurposeTo describe how a better understanding of underlying mechanisms and a better ability to tailor and test interventions are particularly important for improving the health of family caregivers as this population frequently experiences prolonged stress that carries negative health consequences for both caregiver and care recipient.MethodsThis article provides an overview of family caregiving and the potential benefit of incorporating biomarkers into stress-related research studies, using a an exemplar the consequences of chronic stress experienced by humanity's first family caregivers; pregnant and postpartum women.DiscussionThrough this exemplar, details of how the integration of biomarkers supports precision nursing interventions to improve health across the life span are described.