Dr. Hart is a patient-oriented investigator with a focus on health care decisions made under conditions of uncertainty. Her research aims to improve the lives of patients with illnesses that carry a high risk of mortality or significant morbidity by exploring the mechanisms and consequences of undesirable outcomes of medical decision making. The notably high cost and burden of healthcare near the end of life, patients’ frequently poor quality of life during serious illness, and variation in care patterns not attributable to patient preferences all illustrate the need to provide care that is better aligned with seriously ill patients’ individual goals.

Dr. Hart uses methods drawn from the fields of decision science and behavioral economics, sociology, health services research, behavioral science, and empirical bioethics. She has particular expertise in using qualitative and mixed-methods research designs. She is affiliated with the Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE), and the Leonard Davis Institute (LDI). Dr. Hart is the physician lead for community engagement at the PAIR Center and has interests in family-centered critical care and reducing health care disparities and inequities.

She provides inpatient critical care services at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and maintains a longitudinal outpatient pulmonary practice at the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center.