Back to

Dr Brendan Clifford

Senior Research Fellow
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) (2022), University of Sydney
  • Master of Public Health (2014), University of Sydney
  • Bachelor of Nursing (2006), Edinburgh Napier University
  • Bachelor of Science (2003), University of Galway 
Medicine & Health
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre

Dr Brendan Clifford is a Senior Research Fellow with the National Centre for Clinical Research in Emerging Drugs.  Brendan is a clinician researcher who uses interdisciplinary methods to further health equity and enhance access to evidence-based healthcare.  He has a broad clinical background having worked in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia, mainly in emergency department settings.  In addition to undertaking clinical research in alcohol and other drugs, he has also held roles in inclusive health innovation, and lectured in public health and social science.  He completed his PhD examining intersectoral policy for homelessness and health at the Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics.  
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Siefried KJ; Bascombe F; Clifford B; Liu Z; Middleton P; Kay-Lambkin F; Freestone J; Herman D; Millard M; Steele M; Acheson L; Moller C; Bath N; Ezard N, 2024, 'Effect of a Smartphone App (S-Check) on Actual and Intended Help-Seeking and Motivation to Change Methamphetamine Use Among Adult Consumers of Methamphetamine in Australia: Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial', JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/55663
    Journal articles | 2023
    Bascombe F; Siefried KJ; Clifford B; Child S; Loos R; Sgouras H; Stevens L; Wilson H; Ezard N, 2023, 'Methamphetamine and emerging drugs of concern: A training needs analysis of Australian alcohol and other drug helplines', Drug and Alcohol Review, 42, pp. 1744 - 1753, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.13719
    Journal articles | 2023
    Clifford B; Van Gordon K; Magee F; Malone V; Siefried KJ; Graham D; Ezard N, 2023, '“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia', BMC Health Services Research, 23, pp. 162, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09125-z
    Journal articles | 2022
    Clifford B; Wood L; Vallesi S; Macfarlane S; Currie J; Haigh F; Gill K; Wilson A; Harris P, 2022, 'Integrating healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness in Australia: key issues and research principles.', Integr Healthc J, 4, pp. e000065, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ihj-2020-000065
    Journal articles | 2021
    Acheson LS; Siefried KJ; Clifford B; Murray E; Steele M; Clague L; Malone V; Roberts DM; Ferguson LJ; Matthews GV; Ezard N, 2021, 'One-third of people who inject drugs are at risk of incomplete treatment for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a retrospective medical record review', International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 112, pp. 63 - 65, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.012
    Journal articles | 2021
    Ezard N; Clifford B; Dunlop A; Bruno R; Carr A; Liu Z; Siefried KJ; Lintzeris N, 2021, 'Safety and tolerability of oral lisdexamfetamine in adults with methamphetamine dependence: A phase-2 dose-escalation study', BMJ Open, 11, pp. e044696, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044696
    Journal articles | 2019
    Clifford B; Wilson A; Harris P, 2019, 'Homelessness, health and the policy process: A literature review', Health Policy, 123, pp. 1125 - 1132, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.08.011
    Journal articles | 2019
    Malone V; Ezard N; Clifford B; Middleton S; McInnes E; Bonevski B, 2019, 'A systems change intervention for nurse-led smoking cessation care in hospitals', Collegian, 26, pp. 235 - 241, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2018.07.007
    Journal articles | 2018
    Ezard N; Cecilio ME; Clifford B; Baldry E; Burns L; Day CA; Shanahan M; Dolan K, 2018, 'A managed alcohol program in Sydney, Australia: Acceptability, cost-savings and non-beverage alcohol use', Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, pp. S184 - S194, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.12702
    Journal articles | 2018
    Ezard N; Dunlop A; Hall M; Ali R; McKetin R; Bruno R; Phung N; Carr A; White J; Clifford B; Liu Z; Shanahan M; Dolan K; Baker AL; Lintzeris N, 2018, 'LiMA: A study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence', BMJ Open, 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020723
    Journal articles | 2018
    Ezard N; Webb B; Clifford B; Cecilio ME; Jellie A; Lea T; Rodgers C; Ruth S; Bruno R, 2018, 'Substance Use and Sex Index (SUSI): First stage development of an assessment tool to measure behaviour change in sexualised drug use for substance use treatment studies', International Journal of Drug Policy, 55, pp. 165 - 168, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.020
    Journal articles | 2016
    Ezard N; Dunlop A; Clifford B; Bruno R; Carr A; Bissaker A; Lintzeris N, 2016, 'Study protocol: A dose-escalating, phase-2 study of oral lisdexamfetamine in adults with methamphetamine dependence', BMC Psychiatry, 16, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1141-x
    Journal articles | 2016
    Ezard N; Dunlop AJ; Clifford B; Bruno R; Carr A; Bissaker A; Lintzeris N, 2016, 'LISDEX I: DOSE-ESCALATING, PHASE-2 STUDY OF ORAL LISDEXAMFETAMINE IN ADULTS WITH METHAMPHETAMINE DEPENDENCE', DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, 35, pp. 36 - 36, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000398381500098&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
  • Conference Presentations | 2024
    Acheson L; Ezard N; Fletcher K; Clifford B; Steele M; Moses M; Siefried K, 2024, 'A heuristic for evaluating methamphetamine withdrawal treatment programs', presented at Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Scientific Conference 2024, Canberra, Australia, 30 October 2024 - 02 November 2024, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.13943
    Conference Presentations | 2024
    Broadbent E; Siefried K; Ezard N; MacDonald H; Gobeil J; Clifford B, 2024, 'Implementing a national Prompt Response Network to improve health-led decision making and processes for emerging drugs', presented at Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Scientific Conference 2024, Canberra, Australia, 30 October 2024 - 02 November 2024, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.13943
    Conference Posters | 2024
    Budebes M; Clifford B; Siefried K, 2024, 'The GHB cultures, experiences and practices quantitative study', Canberra, Australia, presented at Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Scientific Conference 2024, Canberra, Australia, 30 October 2024 - 02 November 2024, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.13943
    Conference Presentations | 2024
    Clifford B, 2024, 'Emerging drugs of concern - Prompt Response Network update', presented at 2024 NDARC Annual Research Symposium, Wesley Conference Centre, Sydney NSW, 20 September 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxBO7_cTwPU&t=3141s
    Conference Posters | 2024
    Fletcher K; Ezard N; Siefried K; MacDonald H; Acheson L; Bedi G; Guerin A; Knock E; Millard M; May R; Brett J; Doumany J; Morgan C; Clifford B, 2024, 'An open-label safety and feasibility pilot trial of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder', Canberra, Australia, presented at Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Scientific Conference 2024, Canberra, Australia, 30 October 2024 - 02 November 2024, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.13943
    Conference Presentations | 2023
    Hill P; Clifford B; Brown J; Dessauer P; Oh G; Lyons T; Herbert A; McKinnon G; Lamb M; Crawford S; Mason C; Siefried K; Ezard N, 2023, 'Strength in solidarity: Bringing together diverse local stakeholders to disseminate public drug information (presented on behalf of the Prompt Response Network)', presented at Harm Reduction International, Melbourne, Australia, 16 April 2023 - 19 April 2023, https://hr23.hri.global/programme/
    Conference Abstracts | 2023
    Moller C; Siefried K; Clifford B; Acheson L; Brett J; Dunlop A; Haber P; Christmass M; Lintzeris N; Morley K; Shoptaw S; Trivedi M; Ezard N, 2023, 'Oral naltrexone-bupropion combination pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder: Pilot study protocol', in Drug and Alcohol Review, Wiley, Adelaide, Australia, Vol. 42, presented at The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Annual Scientific Conference, Adelaide, Australia, 12 November 2023 - 15 November 2023, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dar.13749
    Conference Presentations | 2023
    Siefried K; Clifford B; Acheson L; Ezard N, 2023, 'Innovations beyond BC: Lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder and withdrawal', presented at The 5th Annual BC Substance Use Conference, Vancouver, Canada, 20 April 2023 - 23 April 2023
    Conference Presentations | 2022
    Bascombe F; Siefried K; Clifford B; Middleton P; Liu Z; Wilson J; Steele M; Kay-Lambkin F; Ezard N, 2022, 'Feasibility and efficacy of the S-Check App to change help seeking behaviour of people who use methamphetamine', presented at Lisbon Addictions, Lisbon, Portugal, 23 November 2022 - 25 November 2022
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Clifford B; Acheson LS; Brener L; Siefried KJ; Steele M; Matthews G; Ezard N, 2022, 'A qualitative exploration of client and healthcare provider perspectives on why people who inject drugs with injecting-related infections discharge against medical advice', in DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, WILEY, pp. S43 - S44, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000862018700077&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Presentations | 2022
    Ezard N; Clifford B; Siefried K; Acheson L, 2022, 'Safety and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine for  methamphetamine dependence and withdrawal, early experience from Australia: The LiMA Trial and OLAM pilot', presented at Annual Meeting Conference of the Norwegian Association for Addiction Medicine, Bergen, Norway, 02 November 2022
    Conference Abstracts | 2019
    Acheson LS; Murray E; Clifford B; Siefried KJ; Matthews GV; Ezard N, 2019, 'OPTIMISING CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS: A RETROSPECTIVE MEDICAL RECORD REVIEW OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS BACTERAEMIA TREATMENT', in DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, WILEY, Vol. 38, pp. S22 - S23, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000494890100057&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Abstracts | 2017
    Bruno R; Ezard N; Dunlop AJ; Clifford B; Carr A; Lintzeris N, 2017, 'COGNITIVE EFFECTS OF ESCALATING DOSES OF ORAL LISDEXAMFETAMINE IN METHAMPHETAMINE DEPENDENT ADULTS', in DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, WILEY, Vol. 36, pp. 23 - 23, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000424000500055&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Abstracts | 2017
    Ezard N; Webb B; Clifford B; Cecilio ME; Bruno R, 2017, 'DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUBSTANCE USE SEX INDEX - A NEW TOOL FOR BEHAVIOUR CHANGE MEASUREMENT IN DRUG TREATMENT STUDIES', in DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, WILEY, Vol. 36, pp. 31 - 31, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000424000500078&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Abstracts | 2016
    Ezard N; Dunlop AJ; Carr A; McKetin R; Ali R; White J; Bruno R; Dolan K; Clifford B; Lintzeris N, 2016, 'A RANDOMISED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF LISDEXAMFETAMINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF METHAMPHETAMINE DEPENDENCE: THE LIMA STUDY PROTOCOL', in DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, WILEY, Vol. 35, pp. 35 - 36, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000398381500097&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Abstracts | 2016
    Van Gordon K; Malone V; Magee F; Clifford B; Ezard N, 2016, 'BARRIERS TO STIMULANT TREATMENT ACCESS FOR WOMEN WHO USE METHAMPHETAMINE IN INNER SYDNEY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY', in DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, WILEY, Vol. 35, pp. 71 - 72, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000398381500195&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
  • Media | 2024
    Clifford B; Van Gordon K; Magee F; Malone V; Siefried K; Graham D; Ezard N, 2024, VAN (Video abstract by NCCRED) - Exploring barriers to treatment-seeking with women who use methamphetamine, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/30437
    Media | 2023
    Bascombe F; Siefried K; Clifford B; Child S; Loos R; Sgouras H; Stevens L; Wilson H; Ezard N, 2023, VAN (Video abstract by NCCRED) - Strengthening first line telephone support for people who use Methamphetamine, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/30436