About
Karen primarily leads, and contributes to, the production of Technology Assessment Reviews (TARs) as part of SHTAC’s programme of work for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Her work involves reviewing and critically appraising evidence on the clinical effectiveness of healthcare interventions and on the accuracy of diagnostic tests. The reports produced by SHTAC help inform NICE’s decisions about which drugs, other interventions and diagnostic tests can be used in the NHS.
Karen has also worked on a range of other systematic reviews, including a highly cited Cochrane review of the effectiveness of weight loss surgery for adults. She has a research interest in health promotion in schools, and whilst working for SHTAC, she has carried out research into teacher training to promote health and well-being in schools, using both primary research and systematic review methods. She additionally has a research interest in mental health, having previously carried out primary research in this area for her PhD.