Rate My Professor Kari Clifford

Dr Kari Clifford is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Surgery and Critical Care (Dunedin) at the University of Otago, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Division. She holds a PhD and specializes in investigating surgical outcomes in the fields of general, colorectal, and vascular surgery. Working with colorectal and vascular surgical teams, her research focuses on post-surgical outcomes, utilizing routinely collected health data to enhance surgical care. Clifford's key skills encompass advanced data analysis, including network meta-analysis and modelling, study design, and scientific writing. Her contributions aim to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based approaches in perioperative care and surgical interventions.

Clifford has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications demonstrating her impact in the field. Notable works include 'Integration of a patient-orientated eHealth intervention in the setting of an established enhanced recovery after surgery program can reduce complications and length of stay: An observational study' (2026, mHealth); 'A novel infra-red fluorescence method to identify regions of superficial microvenous reflux in patients with chronic venous disease' (2026, Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous & Lymphatic Disorders); 'Assessment of hard-To-heal lower leg wounds with near-infrared fluorescent imaging: A pilot cohort study' (2025, International Wound Journal); 'The impact of metachronous colorectal neoplasia requiring surgery after cessation of colonoscopic surveillance at age 75' (2025, ANZ Journal of Surgery); 'High-intensity interval training to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in a patient with frailty and multimorbidity: A case report' (2025, Physiotherapy Theory & Practice); and 'Association of Preoperative High-Intensity Interval Training With Postoperative Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis' (2023, JAMA Network Open). She received the Surgical Sciences Excellence in Research Support award from Health Research South and the Otago Medical School Research Society Research Staff Award in 2023. Additionally, she was awarded a Health Research Council grant for studying the effect of prophylactic antibiotics on anastomotic leaks in colorectal surgery (2023, $118,851 over 24 months).