Dr. Clapp is a medical/linguistic anthropologist whose research uses qualitative methods and social scientific theory to examine aspects of both provider-patient and provider-provider communication in perioperative settings. His projects focus heavily on generating explanatory models of decision making, including in elective surgery, regional versus general anesthesia, and chronic pain management. He is also pursuing research on the psychosocial factors that contribute to pain expectations and on the interaction between physician consultants and care teams. In addition, Dr. Clapp is a frequent collaborator with other investigators at the Perelman School of Medicine who do qualitative work outside the perioperative space.