Overview
Dr. Docherty’s research is aimed at improving outcomes for children, adolescents, young adults and families undergoing treatment for life-limiting and chronic conditions. She studies how to improve care models, symptom management, and decision making from diagnosis through end of life. She has methodological expertise in the use of qualitative, mixed-methods, trajectory science and visualization methodologies for complex data exploration, and intervention development and testing.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor in the School of Nursing
·
2026 - Present
School of Nursing
Vice Dean for Research
·
2023 - Present
School of Nursing
Associate Professor in Pediatrics
·
2011 - Present
Pediatrics,
Clinical Science Departments
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
·
2018 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2024 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Nurses' Role in Transitional Care During Intensive Care Unit Family Meetings for Patients With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation.
Journal Article J Adv Nurs · May 2026 AIM: To describe nurses' roles in transitional care planning during intensive care unit (ICU) family meetings for patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Using secondary data from a trial of a ... Full text Link to item CiteAre We on the Same Page? Clinician Perceptions of Family Prognostic Expectations for Critically Ill Patients.
Journal Article Crit Care Med · March 1, 2026 OBJECTIVES: To examine how accurately ICU clinicians perceived family-reported prognostic expectations (FPEs) for patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). DESIGN: A cross-sectional, exploratory design using secondary analysis. SETTING: Thirtee ... Full text Link to item CiteImproving outcomes of patients with advanced prostate cancer through a better understanding of clinical factors contributing to financial toxicity: a qualitative study.
Journal Article Support Care Cancer · February 2, 2026 PURPOSE: Patients with advanced prostate cancer (aPC) often face significant treatment-related financial hardship. Given the critical role non-physician clinicians play in helping patients access prescribed treatments, we sought to explore their perspectiv ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Hospital-to-Home Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2024 - 20302/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University
ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030ASCENT: Advancing the Science of palliative Care rEsearch across the lifespaN
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus · 2025 - 2030View All Grants
Education
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ·
1999
Ph.D.