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Brittany A Davidson

Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology
Box 3079 Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710
25172 Morris Building, Box 3079 Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My research passion lies at the intersection of gynecologic cancers and palliative care, helping patients with GYN cancers and their families navigate the journey of their cancer diagnoses to maximize their quality of life and mitigate aggressive and futile care near the end of life. I am also passionate about how the healthcare team communicates with patients and their families. Cancer care should be patient-centered based on an individual's own values--this requires comprehensive goals of care conversations early and often throughout the cancer trajectory. This has led me to become involved in VitalTalk Communication Skills training, which I have taught both locally at Duke and across the country to clinicians in various clinical settings. 

Clinically, caring for patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasms and cancers in adolescents and young adults is a rewarding aspect of my job. Helping patients and their families navigate cancer diagnoses and the potential impact this has on growing families is rewarding. I enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary approach with our reproductive endocrinology, psychology, and cancer support teams to maximize longevity, quality of life and family building opportunities. 

As the program director for the OB/GYN department, medical education and simulation is also near and dear to my heart. I find great joy in mentoring trainees at all stages and in all venues--clinically, research, and professionally.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2022 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2017 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published November 8, 2022
Reigniting the White House Cancer Moonshot in Gynecologic & Breast Cancers
Published June 1, 2021
Brittany A. Davidson, MD, on a Model to Predict the Need for Opioids After Gynecologic Surgery

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Recent Publications


Using Natural Language Processing to Assess Goals-of-Care Conversations for Patients With Cancer.

Conference JCO Clin Cancer Inform · October 2025 PURPOSE: Goals-of-care (GOC) discussions during advanced serious illness and end-of-life (EOL) care are critical. Institutions are increasingly tracking the frequency and timing of GOC documentation, but large-scale content assessments have been limited. W ... Full text Link to item Cite

Impact of liposomal bupivacaine transversus abdominal pain blocks compared to ropivacaine incision site infiltration after discharge: An observational prospective cohort quality improvement study.

Journal Article Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol · September 23, 2025 BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane(TAP) blocks can be considered as part of a multimodal post-operative pain management strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate opioid use and pain after discharge in patients who underwent a minimally invasive ... Full text Link to item Cite

Relationship between abnormal p53 expression and high-risk histology in endometrial cancers and living in proximity to hog concentrated animal feeding operations in North Carolina.

Journal Article Gynecol Oncol Rep · August 2025 OBJECTIVE: Prior research demonstrated a 2.27-fold increase in uterine cancer mortality among North Carolinians living near hog concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Endometrial cancer (EC) accounts for 90% of uterine cancer cases. Mutation and a ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Virginia · 2009 M.D.