Overview
The BASIC Lab, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Shalev, is a multidisciplinary research team at Weill Cornell Medicine focused on advancing behavioral health and palliative care. Our work draws on expertise from psychiatry, public health, data science, and implementation science to address the complex needs of patients and caregivers. In addition to clinical and digital health studies, we conduct scoping and systematic reviews to inform evidence-based approaches to care. Our team includes co-investigators, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and collaborators working across projects involving mental health interventions, digital symptom tracking, and health equity. Together, we aim to translate evidence into compassionate, patient-centered care models that improve quality of life across the illness experience.
Some of our ongoing research projects:
Integrating Mental Health into Palliative Care (CoCM-PAL)
We are adapting and testing a collaborative care model to bring high-quality mental health support—like depression and anxiety treatment—into palliative care settings. Funded by the NIH, this project partners with clinicians, patients, and families to improve access to mental health care for people facing serious illness.
Remote Symptom Assessment in Palliative Care (EMA-PAL)
In this study, we’re using internet or smartphone-based surveys to better understand the day-to-day symptoms of patients receiving palliative care. By capturing distress in real-time, we aim to develop more responsive, personalized approaches to symptom management in palliative care.
Defining Core Mental Health Skills in Palliative Care
What should all palliative care physicians know and be able to do when it comes to supporting mental health? We're using a national consensus process (Delphi method) to identify essential mental health competencies, with the goal of improving training and care nationwide.
Understanding the Palliative Care Perspectives and Perceived Needs of Nursing Home Staff
We surveyed staff across multiple nursing homes to learn more about their experiences, training needs, and attitudes toward palliative care and mental health. This work helps shape educational programs that meet the needs of frontline providers in long-term care.
Training Palliative Care Clinicians in Psychotherapeutic Communication
This study evaluates a half-day workshop designed to teach clinicians how to integrate psychotherapeutic skills—like psychological formulation—into serious illness conversations.
Palliative Care for People with Serious Mental Illnesses
We are studying how to improve palliative care for people with serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia who develop serious medical illnesses like cancer. Individuals with significant mental health and medical needs experience low-quality care; our hope is to improve the integration of mental health and medical services so that every person can receive the high-quality health care they deserve.
Safer Prescribing Practices in Outpatient Care
Using electronic health records, we’re studying whether patients prescribed opioids in outpatient settings are also offered naloxone (a life-saving medication for overdose reversal). This project helps identify gaps in safety practices and areas for improvement.