
Komal Patel Murali
PhD RN ACNP-BC
kp47@nyu.edu 1 212 998 5783433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States
Komal Patel Murali's additional information
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Komal Patel Murali, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FPCN is an Assistant Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing dedicated to advancing palliative and hospice care for seriously ill persons across care settings. Overall, she aims to illuminate and address the challenges of end-of-life decision-making through improved care delivery, communication, and education surrounding the care of persons with serious illness.
Prof. Murali is currently supported by the National Institute on Aging (K23AG083125) to develop a care management intervention aimed at reducing disparities in hospice care utilization and improving care transitions at the end of life for persons with dementia and their family caregivers in home healthcare. Another area of her research includes exploring and designing family-centered programs for caregiving support of South Asian older adults with multiple chronic conditions in faith- and community-based settings (P50MD017356).
Drawing directly on a decade of clinical experience as an ICU nurse and nurse practitioner, Murali has also focused on clinician-informed palliative care integration in the ICU. These foundational nursing experiences shaped Murali’s scholarship and consistently inform the “why” behind her work. She is dedicated to teaching and mentoring nursing students, clinicians, leaders, and scholars focused on end-of-life care for seriously ill older adults and their families.
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PhD, New York UniversityMSN, University of PennsylvaniaBSN, University of Pennsylvania
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Critical careNursing educationPalliative careSerious illnessTheoretical and conceptual models
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American Association of Critical Care NursesEastern Nursing Research SocietyGerontological Society of AmericaHospice and Palliative Nurses AssociationSigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
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Faculty Honors Awards
Fellow in Palliative in Palliative Care Nursing, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (2025)NYU Meyers Dean’s Excellence in Research Award, Early Career Faculty Award (2025)Nessa Coyle Leadership Lecture and Award, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (2024)Research Scholar, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (2023)NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Research Education Component Scholar (2023)Emerging Leaders Award, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (2022)Distinguished PhD Student Award, NYU Meyers (2020)President’s Service Award, New York University (2018)Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar, Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence (2018)Norman Volk Doctoral Scholarship, NYU Meyers (2018)HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (2012)Sigma Theta Tau Inductee, University of Pennsylvania (2008)Mary D. Naylor Undergraduate Research Award, University of Pennsylvania (2008)Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation Scholarship (2008)Promise of Nursing Regional Scholarship Award, Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (2008)Scholar, Center for Health Disparities Research, Penn Nursing (2007) -
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Publications
Advancing Dementia Care Across Disciplines and the Care Continuum with Pragmatic Data: Early Career Insights
Failed generating bibliography.AbstractAbstract~Comprehensive Dementia Care Models: State of the Science and Future Directions
AbstractMurali, K. P., Carpenter, J. G., Kolanowski, A., & Bykovskyi, A. G. (2025). 10.3928/19404921-20241211-02Abstract~Development of and Testing Novel Questionnaires Assessing Palliative Care-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence Among Home Healthcare Clinicians, Patients, and Caregivers
AbstractChastain, A. M., Shang, J., Murali, K. P., King, L., Ogunlusi, C., Zhao, S., Kang, J. A., Zhao, Y., Dualeh, K., & McDonald, M. V. (2025). 10.1097/nhh.0000000000001316AbstractPalliative care improves the quality of life for seriously ill patients, but misconceptions and knowledge gaps hinder its implementation in home healthcare (HHC). This study developed and pilot-tested HHC-specific questionnaires to measure palliative care knowledge, attitudes, and confidence (PC-KAC) among clinicians, patients, and caregivers. Using literature reviews, expert input, and cognitive interviews, the questionnaires were refined to ensure clarity, practical relevance, and content validity. Pilot testing revealed widespread confusion about palliative care, with patients and caregivers often conflating it with hospice care and holding misconceptions about opioid use for pain and symptom management. While clinicians demonstrated adequate knowledge, gaps in pain management and confidence in handling emergencies were evident. These findings highlight the need for targeted education and training to integrate palliative care effectively into HHC, improving patient outcomes and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.Interventions and Predictors of Transition to Hospice for People Living with Dementia : An Integrative Review
AbstractMurali, K. P., Gogineni, S., Bullock, K., McDonald, M., Sadarangani, T., Schulman-Green, D., & Brody, A. A. (2025). 10.1093/geront/gnaf046AbstractBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Goal-concordant transition to hospice is an important facet of end-of-life care for people living with dementia. The objective of this integrative review was to appraise existing evidence and gaps focused on interventions and predictors of transition to hospice and end-of-life care for persons living with dementia across healthcare to inform future research.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using integrative review methodology by Whittemore and Knafl, five databases were searched (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews) for articles between 2000 and 2023. The search focused on dementia, hospice care, transitions, care management and/or coordination, and intervention studies.RESULTS: Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria after critical appraisal. Most were cross-sectional in design and conducted in nursing homes and hospitals in the U.S. persons living with dementia had multiple chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Interventions included components of hospice decision-making delivered through advance care planning, checklist-based care management for hospice transition, and palliative care for those with severe dementia. Predictors included increasing severity of illness including functional decline, organ failure, intensive care use, and the receipt of palliative care. Other predictors were related to insurance status, race and ethnicity, and caregiver burden. Overall, despite moderate to high-quality evidence, the studies were limited in scope and sample and lacked racial and ethnic diversity.DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Prospective, multisite randomized trials and population-based analyses including larger and diverse samples are needed for improved end-of-life dementia illness counseling and hospice care transitions for persons living with dementia and their caregivers.Interventions and Predictors of Transition to Hospice for People Living With Dementia : An Integrative Review
AbstractMurali, K. P., Gogineni, S., Bullock, K., Mcdonald, M., Sadarangani, T., Schulman-Green, D., & Brody, A. A. (2025). (Vols. 65, Issues 5). 10.1093/geront/gnaf046AbstractBackground and Objectives: Goal-concordant transition to hospice is an important facet of end-of-life care for people living with dementia. The objective of this integrative review was to appraise existing evidence and gaps focused on interventions and predictors of transition to hospice and end-of-life care for persons living with dementia across healthcare to inform future research. Research Design and Methods: Using integrative review methodology by Whittemore and Knafl, 5 databases were searched (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews) for articles between 2000 and 2023. The search focused on dementia, hospice care, transitions, care management and/or coordination, and intervention studies. Results: Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria after critical appraisal. Most were cross-sectional in design and conducted in nursing homes and hospitals in the U.S. persons living with dementia had multiple chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Interventions included components of hospice decision-making delivered through advance care planning, checklist-based care management for hospice transition, and palliative care for those with severe dementia. Predictors included increasing severity of illness including functional decline, organ failure, intensive care use, and the receipt of palliative care. Other predictors were related to insurance status, race and ethnicity, and caregiver burden. Overall, despite moderate to high-quality evidence, the studies were limited in scope and sample and lacked racial and ethnic diversity. Discussion and Implications: Prospective, multisite randomized trials and population-based analyses including larger and diverse samples are needed for improved end-of-life dementia illness counseling and hospice care transitions for persons living with dementia and their caregivers.Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among Adults in the All of Us Research Program : Exploratory Analysis
AbstractLi, X., Dreisbach, C., Gustafson, C. M., Murali, K. P., & Koleck, T. A. (2025). (Vols. 9). 10.2196/69138AbstractBackground: The growing prevalence of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) has significant impacts on health care systems and quality of life. Understanding the prevalence of MCC throughout adulthood offers valuable insights into the evolving burden of chronic diseases and provides strategies for more effective health care outcomes. Objective: This study estimated the prevalence and combinations of MCC among adult participants enrolled in the All of Us (AoU) Research Program, especially studying the variations across age categories. Methods: We conducted an exploratory analysis using electronic health record (EHR) data from adult participants (N=242,828) in the version 7 Controlled Tier AoU Research Program data release. Data analysis was conducted using Python in a Jupyter notebook environment within the AoU Researcher Workbench. Descriptive statistics included condition frequencies, the number of chronic conditions per participant, and prevalence according to age categories. The presence of a chronic condition was determined by documentation of one or more ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) codes for the respective condition. Age categories were established and aligned with diagnosis dates and stages of adulthood (early adulthood: 18-39 years; middle adulthood: 40-49 years; late middle adulthood: 50-64 years; late adulthood: 65-74 years; advanced old age: 75-89 years). Results: Our findings demonstrated that approximately 76% (n=183,753) of AoU participants were diagnosed with MCC, with over 40% (n=98,885) having 6 or more conditions and prevalence increasing with age (from 33.78% in early adulthood to 68.04% in advanced old age). The most frequently occurring MCC combinations varied by age category. Participants aged 18-39 years primarily presented mental health–related MCC combinations (eg, anxiety and depressive disorders; n=845), whereas those aged 40-64 years frequently had combinations of physical conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain, fatigue, and arthritis (204 in middle adulthood and 457 in late middle adulthood). In late adulthood and advanced old age, hyperlipidemia and hypertension were the most commonly occurring MCC combinations (n=200 and n=59, respectively). Conclusions: We report notable prevalence of MCC throughout adulthood and variability in MCC combinations by age category in AoU participants. The significant prevalence of MCC underscores a considerable public health challenge, revealed by distinct condition combinations that shift across different life stages. Early adulthood is characterized predominantly by mental health conditions, transitioning to cardiometabolic and physical health conditions in middle, late, and advanced ages. These findings highlight the need for targeted, innovative care modalities and population health initiatives to address the burden of MCC throughout adulthood."There Should Be a Nurse on Call": Complex Care Needs of Low-Income Older Adults in Medicaid-Supported Assisted Living
AbstractMurali, K. P., Lassell, B., Melissa, M., Brody, A. A., Schulman-Green, D., & David, D. (2025).Abstract~Utilization & Perceptions of Chaplaincy Among Hospitalized Cancer Patients of Dharmic Religions
AbstractPatel, R. V., Jill, B., Danielle, B., Ashley, S., S, G. L., Murali, K. P., Viraj, P., R, K., & Judith, N. (2025).Abstract~Utilization and perceptions of chaplaincy among hospitalized adults of Dharmic religions with cancer
AbstractPatel, R. V., Bowden, J. M., Boselli, D., Strahley, A. E., Gibbs, S. L., Murali, K. P., Patel, V. R., Kotecha, R., & Nelson, J. (2025). 10.1002/cncr.35797Abstract~“There Should Be A Nurse On Call” : Complex Care Needs of Low-Income Older Adults in Medicaid-Supported Assisted Living
AbstractMurali, K. P., Lassell, R. K., Brody, A. A., Schulman-Green, D., & David, D. (2025). 10.1089/jpm.2024.0445AbstractBackground: In the United States, nearly 1 million older adults reside in assisted living facilities, which aim to provide support for safe, autonomous living. However, low-income residents, especially those in Medicaid-supported facilities, experience unmet medical and social complex care needs and limited serious illness communication due to limited resources. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the complex care needs and serious illness communication challenges experienced by low-income older adults in Medicaid-supported assisted living. Methods: A qualitative secondary framework analysis was conducted on data from a parent qualitative study involving 17 residents aged 60 and older with serious illnesses at a Medicaid-supported facility in New York City. Residents completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and participated in semistructured interviews. This study was guided by the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, focusing on the residents’ experiences, complex care needs, and communication within palliative care domains. Results: Residents were predominantly Black and Hispanic, with nearly one-third having a history of homelessness or shelter use, and they experienced a high symptom burden. Four key themes emerged: (1) compromised quality of life; (2) high symptom burden and limited access to care, with residents reporting pain, fatigue, and emotional distress; (3) communication gaps while navigating health care, resulting in frustration and feelings of being unheard; and (4) fragmented care coordination, which exacerbated feelings of isolation and mistrust in the health care system. Conclusion: The findings reveal that Medicaid-supported assisted living residents encounter substantial challenges related to complex care needs and serious illness communication. There is an urgent need for community-based interventions to enhance care access, improve symptom management, and facilitate effective communication, ultimately supporting the residents’ quality of life and health outcomes. Enhanced training for staff and policy changes are key to addressing these systemic barriers to care. -
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