Rate My Professor Sisira Jayathissa

Sisira K. Jayathissa, MB BS (Peradeniya), MD (Colombo), DipOHP (Otago), DipHSM (Massey), FAFPHM (RACP), FRCP, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Otago's Wellington School of Medicine, with an appointment dating back to 2001 as listed in University calendars. His academic contributions include teaching medical students and supervising trainees for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) in General and Acute Care Medicine. Clinically, he serves as a Consultant General Physician at Hutt Valley District Health Board, now part of Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley, where he has held senior leadership positions including Clinical Director of Medicine and Community Health and past Chief Medical Officer.

Dr Jayathissa's research focuses on geriatric medicine, clinical pharmacology, pharmacoepidemiology, and healthcare quality improvement. Notable publications include 'Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge and opinions on end-of-life decision-making of older adults admitted to an acute medical unit' in the New Zealand Medical Journal (2016, co-authored with R Sharma and M Weatherall); 'Refining metformin prescribing in New Zealand' in the New Zealand Medical Journal (2017); 'Reducing inappropriate urine testing at Hutt Valley District Health Board using Choosing Wisely principles' in the New Zealand Medical Journal (2019, co-authored with AD Wilson et al.); 'Investigation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism at Hutt Valley District Health Board' in Advances in Medicine (2015, co-authored with N Kennedy and P Healy); and 'Complex Feeding Decisions: Perceptions of Staff, Patients, and Families' in JPEN Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (2016, co-authored with A Miles et al.). He has influenced New Zealand healthcare through contributions to bpac nz best practice guides on topics such as antithrombotic medicines, cardiovascular risk assessment, and testing in elderly patients. Dr Jayathissa chaired the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) for PHARMAC from 2012 to 2015 and serves on committees including the Standing Committee on Therapeutic Trials (SCOTT) and various clinical advisory groups, advancing evidence-based prescribing and patient care standards.