Daniel David

Faculty

Daniel David headshot

Daniel David

PhD RN

Assistant Professor

1 212 992 5930

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Daniel David is a geriatrics and palliative care (PC) nurse researcher and an Assistant Professor at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing at New York University. As an implementation scientist, he seeks to translate nursing research into feasible, effective, and scalable interventions for under-resourced, community-dwelling older adults and their care partners who are on the cusp of needing nursing home care.

His research program addresses the unmet social, emotional, and serious illness needs of low-income residents living in Medicaid-supported assisted living (AL) facilities in New York City. Notably, he developed the “Someone to Talk To” program in partnership with a community advisory board of AL residents. This initiative pairs residents with community health workers to foster serious illness conversations, explore values and care goals, and bridge care gaps for isolated individuals at high risk of nursing home placement. This work has been recognized nationally through the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) Tipping Point Challenge (Silver Medal) and internationally by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Distinguished Nursing Research Manuscript Award.

Prof. David serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), the advisory council of the American Assisted Living Nurses Association (AALNA), and the research core of the Center of Excellence for Assisted Living (CEAL-UNC). He has received career development awards from the Cambia Foundation and the National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC).

Beyond his primary research focus in assisted living, David has served as a Co-Investigator on NIH-funded projects, including a study on the experiences of New York City hospice team members during the COVID-19 pandemic (5R01NR019792). He is currently a Site Principal Investigator at NYU Langone Medical Center for a 40-site trial examining a nurse-led intervention aimed at reducing avoidable hospitalizations among patients living with dementia and their care partners (U19AG078105). Collectively, his research promotes person-centered and community-based approaches to improving care for older adults with serious illnesses.

PhD, Northeastern University
BSN, University of Virginia
MS, University of Colorado
Gerontology
Palliative care
American Geriatrics Society
Gerontological Society of America
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
Palliative Care Research Cooperative
Sigma Theta Tau
Junior Investigator, Palliative Care Research Consortium (2018)
VA Quality Scholar, VA Medical Center, San Francisco (2018)
Scholarship, End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (2017)
Sigma Theta Tau, Scholar Research Award, Northeastern University (2016)
Kaneb Foundation Research Award, Regis College (2015)
Scholar, Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence (2014)
Scholar, Summer Genetics Institute, NINR, National Institute of Health (2014)
Sigma Theta Tau, Rising Star Award, Northeastern University (2013)
Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Kappa (2004), Gamma Epsilon Chapter (2013)
Raven Society, University of Virginia (2005)
Distinguished Nursing Student Award, University of Virginia (2005)

A Controlled Pilot Study of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan Strategy for Spouses of Persons With Early-Stage Dementia

Monin, J. K., Oettingen, G., Laws, H., David, D., DeMatteo, L., & Marottoli, R. (2022). In The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences (Vols. 77, Issues 3, pp. 513-524). 10.1093/geronb/gbab115
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OBJECTIVES: Behavioral interventions can reduce distress for couples coping with early-stage dementia. However, most interventions are limited in accessibility and fail to address individualized goals. This pilot study examined the dyadic effects on multiple indicators of well-being of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan (WOOP) intervention, which guides participants to use Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions to achieve attainable goals in their daily lives. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 45 older persons with early-stage dementia (PWD) and their spousal care partners (CPs: n = 90 individuals). CPs were assigned randomly to WOOP training immediately after baseline (WOOP) or after a 3-month follow-up interview (Control; CON). Both groups received a dementia care education booklet. WOOP CPs were instructed to practice WOOP at least once a day for 2 weeks. All CPs and PWDs completed home surveys (baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months), measuring perceived stress, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and affect. RESULTS: Mixed-effects models showed significant intervention × time interaction effects with large effect sizes for CPs on three of the five outcomes over 3 months. Compared with CON, WOOP CPs had decreased perceived stress (δ = 1.71) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.55) and positive affect (δ = 2.30). WOOP PWD showed decreased perceived stress (δ = 0.87) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.26), but these effects were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: WOOP is a promising, brief intervention to improve dementia CPs' well-being that may also positively affect their partners with dementia.

Demystifying the National Institutes of Health diversity supplement : Mentee and mentor experiences and recommendations

Travers, J. L., David, D., Weir, M., Clark-Cutaia, M. N., Enwerem, N., Okunji, P. O., & Schulman-Green, D. (2022). In Nursing outlook. 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.07.007
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Background: The National Institutes of Health supports professional development of diverse researchers through diversity supplements. Limited awareness and understanding of the application process have hindered utilization of this funding mechanism. Purpose: We describe perspectives and recommendations of mentee and mentor recipients of diversity supplements. Methods: Our working group, comprised of faculty from an Historically Black College and University and an R1 research university, conducted stakeholder interviews with three mentees and four mentors from various institutions. We used content analysis to derive categories of experiences and recommendations. Discussion: Interviewees reported on advantages of diversity supplements, ensuring institutional support, identifying a good mentee-mentor match, developing grantsmanship specific to diversity supplements, and increasing numbers of these applications. Conclusion: We identify opportunities for stakeholders to increase awareness of diversity supplements. Our data support greater understanding of this mechanism, establishing strong mentoring relationships, and submitting robust applications. Findings can enhance diversity among the scientific community.

National institutes of health diversity supplements : Perspectives from administrative insiders

David, D., Weir, M. L., Enwerem, N., Schulman-Green, D., Okunji, P. O., Travers, J. L., & Clark-Cutaia, M. N. (2022). In Nursing outlook. 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.08.006
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Background: The NIH Diversity Administrative Supplement is a funding mechanism that provides support for diverse early-stage researchers. There is limited guidance on how to apply for these awards. Purpose: We describe perspectives of NIH program/diversity officers and university research administrators offering recommendations for diversity supplement submission. Methods: This article is the product of a working group exploring diversity in research. Nursing faculty from an R2 Historically Black College and University and an R1 research intensive university conducted stakeholder interviews with NIH program/diversity officers and university research administrators. We used content analysis to categorize respondents’ recommendations. Findings: Recommendations centered on harmonizing the applicant with the program announcement, communication with program/diversity officers, mentor/mentee relationship, scientific plan, and systematic institutional approaches to the diversity supplement. Discussion: Successful strategies in submitting diversity supplements will facilitate inclusion of diverse researchers in NIH-sponsored programs. Systematic approaches are needed to support development of diverse voices to enhance the scientific community.

Supporting dementia family care partners during COVID-19 : Perspectives from hospice staff

Lin, S. Y., Jones, T., David, D., Lassell, R. K., Durga, A., Convery, K., Ford, A., & Brody, A. A. (2022). In Geriatric Nursing (Vols. 47, pp. 265-272). 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.08.003
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Telehealth preferences of Medicaid-Funded assisted living residents with serious illness and functional need: a mixed methods study

David, D. (2022).
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“The Sun Came Up Because You Got Here…” : A Qualitative Exploration of Person-Centered Care Strategies Used by Adult Day Care Centers to Manage Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Boafo, J., David, D., Wu, B., Brody, A. A., & Sadarangani, T. (2022). In Journal of Applied Gerontology. 10.1177/07334648221128283
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In order to reduce care partner strain and support aging in place for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), adult day centers (ADCs) must manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The purpose of this paper is to identify person-centered care strategies used by center staff to manage BPSD. Six focus groups with center staff (n = 31) were conducted. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis guided by Kitwood’s conceptual approach to cultivating personhood in dementia care. Themes were identified and organized within Kitwood’s framework. The results demonstrate that staff incorporate evidence-based person-centered approaches to AD/ADRD care that align with Kitwood’s principles of comfort, attachment, inclusion, and identity. Staff individualize their approach to people with AD/ADRD within a group setting. They monitor, engage, socially stimulate, and, when needed, de-stimulate them. Centers are flexible social environments with underrecognized expertise managing BPSD using person-centered approaches.

Engaging Nursing Assistants to Enhance Receptivity to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine

Sadarangani, T. R., David, D., & Travers, J. (2021). In Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (Vols. 22, Issues 6, pp. 1125-1127). 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.03.016
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Anxious, Depressed, and Planning for the Future : Advance Care Planning in Diverse Older Adults

McMahan, R. D., Barnes, D. E., Ritchie, C. S., Jin, C., Shi, Y., David, D., Walker, E. J., Tang, V. L., & Sudore, R. L. (2020). In Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Vols. 68, Issues 11, pp. 2638-2642). 10.1111/jgs.16754
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OBJECTIVES: To determine whether depression and anxiety are associated with advance care planning (ACP) engagement or values concerning future medical care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: English- and Spanish-speaking patients, aged 55 years and older, from a San Francisco, CA, county hospital. MEASURES: Depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 8-item scale, and anxiety was measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, using standardized cutoffs of 10 or more for moderate-to-severe symptoms. ACP engagement was measured using validated surveys of ACP behavior change (e.g., self-efficacy and readiness; mean five-point Likert score) and ACP actions (e.g., ask, discuss, and document wishes; 0- to 25-point scale), with higher scores representing higher engagement. In addition, we asked a question about valuing life extension (“some health situations would make life not worth living”). We used adjusted linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean age of 986 participants was 63 years, 81% were non-White, 39% had limited health literacy, 45% were Spanish speaking, 13% had depression, and 10% had anxiety. After adjustment for demographic and health status variables, participants who were depressed versus not depressed had higher ACP behavior change scores (0.2 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.06–0.38; P =.007), higher ACP action scores (1.5 points; 95% CI = 0.51–2.57; P =.003), and higher odds of not valuing life extension (odds ratio (OR) = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.5–4.3; P

Family Communication in Long-Term Care During a Pandemic : Lessons for Enhancing Emotional Experiences

Monin, J. K., Ali, T., Syed, S., Piechota, A., Lepore, M., Mourgues, C., Gaugler, J. E., Marottoli, R., & David, D. (2020). In American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (Vols. 28, Issues 12, pp. 1299-1307). 10.1016/j.jagp.2020.09.008
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Objective: Family visits with residents at long-term care (LTC) facilities have been restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to examine what communication methods, other than in-person visits, during the pandemic were associated with greater positive and lower negative emotional experiences for LTC residents and their family members and friends. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Nationally targeted online survey. Participants: One hundred sixty-one community-dwelling adults who had a family member or friend in a LTC facility. Measurements: The Positive and Negative Affect Scale was used to assess participant's own emotions and perceived resident emotions during the pandemic. Questions were asked about nine communication methods other than physical visits (e.g., phone, video-conference, e-mail, and letters) in terms of frequency of use during the pandemic. Sociodemographics, resident health, and facility factors were assessed and used as covariates where indicated. Results: During the pandemic, greater phone frequency was associated with less participant negative emotions (β = −0.17). Greater e-mail frequency was associated with more perceived resident positive emotions (β = 0.28). Greater frequency of letters delivered by staff was associated with more participant negative emotions (β = 0.23). Greater frequency of letters delivered by staff and the postal service were associated with more perceived resident negative emotions (β = 0.28; β = 0.34, respectively). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of synchronous, familiar methods of communication like the phone and email between families and LTC residents to maintain their emotional well-being when in-person visits are restricted.

Family- And person-centered interdisciplinary telehealth : Policy and practice implications following onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Brody, A. A., Sadarangani, T., Jones, T. M., Convery, K., Groom, L., Bristol, A. A., & David, D. (2020). In Journal of gerontological nursing (Vols. 46, Issues 9, pp. 9-13). 10.3928/00989134-20200811-03
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With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth was thrust to the forefront, becoming one of the most predominant forms of care almost overnight. Despite years of research, practice, and policymaking, tenets for providing telehealth in an interdisciplinary, family- and person-centered fashion, and across a wide breadth of settings remain underdeveloped. In addition, although telehealth has the potential to increase equity in care, it can also further exacerbate disparities. The current article discusses the opening created by the pandemic and provides recommendations for how to make permanent changes in telehealth policy and practice to allow for interdisciplinary, person- and family-centered care while also taking care to address issues of equity and ethics and privacy issues related to telehealth and remote monitoring. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(9), 9-13.]