Dr. Shefaly Shorey's research is deeply focused on advocating for normal physiologic birth, enhancing mental health support in perinatal care, and promoting maternal choice and autonomy. Through her work, she has consistently emphasized the importance of preserving and supporting natural birth processes, where medical interventions are minimized unless necessary. Her research, both in Singapore and internationally, highlights the barriers that midwives face in providing physiologic birth, including institutional policies, the dominance of medicalized childbirth practices, and a lack of autonomy. Shorey’s studies call for policy reforms and increased midwife training to better support physiologic births and ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped to provide a less interventionist, more patient-centered approach to childbirth.

In parallel, Dr. Shorey has dedicated much of her work to addressing the mental health challenges faced by mothers in the perinatal period. Her studies reveal that primary care physicians and other healthcare providers often feel ill-prepared to identify and manage postnatal mental health problems like depression and anxiety. She advocates for improved interdisciplinary collaboration, better training for healthcare professionals, and the integration of mental health services into routine perinatal care. Her research has also stressed the importance of peer support networks, telehealth interventions, and culturally competent care, particularly for migrant women, to enhance mental health support and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help during and after pregnancy.

Furthermore, Dr. Shorey’s research strongly promotes maternal choice and autonomy in childbirth. Her work on waterbirths and labor induction highlights healthcare professionals’ mixed views on these options, revealing the need for clearer guidelines that prioritize informed, shared decision-making between mothers and healthcare providers. Her advocacy for maternal autonomy is a consistent theme, with her studies underscoring the importance of respecting women’s preferences in how they give birth, as well as the necessity of empowering mothers through education and culturally sensitive care. Overall, her body of work is a call for a more holistic, patient-centered approach to perinatal care that supports both the physiological and psychological well-being of mothers.

Beyond maternity care, Dr. Shefaly Shorey's research significantly contributes to improving healthcare delivery through various innovative approaches and by addressing critical issues faced by healthcare professionals. Her work demonstrates a keen focus on developing new models of care that prioritize patient-centered solutions and supporting the well-being of the healthcare workforce. In her research on the Stanford Biodesign framework, Shorey advocates for fostering innovation in healthcare by applying systematic design thinking to develop market-appropriate products, improving service delivery, and the commercialization of medical products. This work emphasizes the importance of training healthcare professionals to develop practical solutions to meet patients' needs effectively.

Her research also highlights the significance of addressing workplace violence, stigma, and microaggressions that healthcare workers face, particularly in home care and hospital settings. Through her studies, Shorey sheds light on the experiences of healthcare workers in home care who are often exposed to violence, calling for systemic interventions to create safer working environments. Additionally, her reviews on stigma reduction interventions for healthcare professionals demonstrate the need for educational strategies to dismantle mental health stigmas in clinical settings, ensuring more empathetic and supportive care for patients experiencing mental health challenges.

Dr. Shorey’s work on new models of care, such as the "Hospital-at-Home" program, represents a forward-thinking approach to healthcare delivery. By exploring stakeholder perceptions and patient and caregiver experiences, her research supports the development of more flexible and accessible healthcare options, reducing hospital overcrowding and enhancing patient recovery experiences in home environments. This model highlights her innovative contributions to improving care delivery, aligning with global healthcare trends toward more sustainable and patient-centered systems. Through these efforts, Dr. Shorey is helping shape a future in healthcare that is more resilient, compassionate, and adaptable to both workforce and patient needs.