Beginning in 1989, Dr Ross Kerridge led the development of the key concepts of perioperative medicine, including preoperative assessment and optimization, optimization of immediate postoperative care, the introduction of the medical emergency team, and improving. The care of patients in intensive care with treatment had become futile. He is internationally regarded as the grandfather of Perioperative Medicine.

Most recent research has focused on the development of prehabilitation well in advance of surgery.