Dr. Rajesh Balkrishnan

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University of Michigan
School of Pharmacy
Clinical, Social, and Administrative Sciences
Center for Medication Use, Policy and Economics
DirectorAppointed: 2009
University of Michigan
School of Public Health
Health Management and Policy
Associate ProfessorAppointed: 2009
Wake Forest University
School of Medicine
Dermatology and Public Health Sciences
Adjunct ProfessorAppointed: 2003
Professional Headshot of Rajesh Balkrishnan

Mailing Address

University of Michigan
Schools of Pharmacy and School of Public Health
428 Church Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (734) 764-7203
Fax: (734) 615-8171
Mobile: (832) 452-6580
rbalkris@umich.edu
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/rajesh.balkrishnan/home

Qualifications

Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Health Policy (Focus: Health Outcomes / Pharmaceutical Health Services Research), 1999.
M.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pharmaceutical Policy, 1997.
B.S., University of Bombay, Pharmacy, 1995.

Expertise and Research Interests

Dr. Balkrishnan is the Director, Center for Medication Use, Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan. He is also tenured Associate Professor within the departments of Clinical, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, and Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, at the University of Michigan. Dr. Balkrishnan is also an Adjunct Professor with Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

A pharmacist by training (B.S. in Pharmacy, University of Bombay, 1995), he obtained his doctorate in Health Policy, with a focus in Health Outcomes Evaluation and Pharmaceutical Health Services Research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health in 1999.

Dr. Balkrishnan is a quantitative health services researcher, and his research generally focuses on application of statistical methodology in examining issues related to effectiveness of medical care delivery (especially pharmaceuticals) and health outcomes / pharmacoeconomic evaluation in chronic disease. His research work in this context has examined diverse topics related to economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals, risk adjustment of health outcomes, quality of primary care, medication and patient safety, and patient-centered outcomes evaluation focused on health disparities (primarily related to race and socioeconomic status).


Dr. Balkrishnan has published over 200 research articles in high profile journals such as Medical Care, Health Services Research, Health Affairs, Lancet, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and has co-authored what is considered by many in the field as the definitive text on health services research evaluation published by AcademyHealth / Health Administration Press.

Dr. Balkrishnan also serves on the editorial board of journals such as Clinical Therapeutics and The American Journal of Managed Care. He serves on several national and international research review groups, and chairs the Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology study section of the American Heart Association.

Dr. Balkrishnan has led and participated in several research projects in the area of health outcomes, pharmacoeconomic evaluation and pharmaceutical health services research. His research has attracted nearly $5 million in funding over the past decade from federal and private funding agencies. Dr. Balkrishnan's research has won the best presentation award at International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research Annual International meeting three times.


Dr. Balkrishnan teaches courses in health outcomes and pharmacoeconomics. Dr. Balkrishnan has graduated 11 PhD students as primary advisor and a total of 8 other PhD students he is serving as primary advisor in 2009. In addition he has graduated several masters students and serves on other PhD committees.

Other Expertise

Dr. Balkrishnan has published over 200 original research articles. Publications listing consists of select representative publications.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Chronic Illness, Community Health, Dermatology, Health Care Planning Or Policy, Health Services Delivery, Outcomes Research (Medical), Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacoeconomics, Pharmacology, Public Health.

Additional Terms:

Health Outcomes in Chronic Disease, Health Services Delivery, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Quality of Care.

Memberships

AcademyHealth
American Academy of Dermatology
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Diabetes Association
American Pharmacists Association
American Public Health Association
International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research

Honors and Awards

2005-2009, Merrell Dow Professorship in Pharmacy Administration, The Ohio State University
2003, Best Research Paper (Podium Presentation), International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research Annual International Meeting
2001-2003, Brooks Scholar in Academic Medicine, Taylor and Jean Bailey Brooks Endowment, Wake Forest University

Previous Positions

2005-2009, Merrell Dow Professor and Associate Professor, Ohio State University, Colleges of Pharmacy and Public Health
2003-2004, Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Management, Policy, and Community Health
1999-2003, Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences and Dermatology

Publications

  • Anderson RT, Girman CJ, Pawaskar MD, Camacho FT, Calles J, Kelly WS, DeMuro C, Balkrishnan R (Jan 2009) Diabetes Medication Satisfaction Tool: a focus on treatment regimens., Diabetes care, 32 (1), 51-3 Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Pollack M, Joish VN, Asche CV, Pawaskar MD, Cziraky MJ (Jan 2009) An economic evaluation of therapeutic alteration in the management of insomnia., Current medical research and opinion Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Phatak H, Gleim G, Karve S (Dec 2008) Assessment of the use of angiotensin receptor blockers in major European markets among paediatric population for treating essential hypertension., Journal of human hypertension Abstract
  • Anderson RT, Kimmick GG, Camacho F, Whitmire JT, Dickinson C, Levine EA, Torti FM, Balkrishnan R (Oct 2008) Health system correlates of receipt of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery: a study of low-income Medicaid-enrolled women., The American journal of managed care, 14 (10), 644-52 Abstract
  • Navaratnam P, Jayawant SS, Pedersen CA, Balkrishnan R (Mar 2008) Physician adherence to the national asthma prescribing guidelines: evidence from national outpatient survey data in the United States., Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 100 (3), 216-21 Abstract
  • Kulkarni AS, Balkrishnan R, Anderson RT, Edin HM, Kirsch J, Stacy MA (Feb 2008) Medication adherence and associated outcomes in medicare health maintenance organization-enrolled older adults with Parkinson's disease., Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 23 (3), 359-65 Abstract
  • Pawaskar M, Satiani B, Balkrishnan R, Starr JE (Sep 2007) Economic evaluation of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis., Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 205 (3), 413-9 Abstract
  • Jayawant SS, Bhosle MJ, Anderson RT, Balkrishnan R (Sep 2007) Depressive symptomatology, medication persistence, and associated healthcare costs in older adults with glaucoma., Journal of glaucoma, 16 (6), 513-20 Abstract
  • Staton FS, Bhosle MJ, Camacho FT, Feldman SR, Balkrishnan R (Jun 2007) How PAs improve access to care for the underserved., JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 20 (6), 32, 34, 36 passim Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Joish VN, Bhosle MJ, Rasu RS, Nahata MC (Jun 2007) Prior authorization of newer insomnia medications in managed care: is it cost saving?, Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 3 (4), 393-8 Abstract
  • Bhosle M, Samuel S, Vosuri V, Paskett E, Balkrishnan R (May 2007) Physician and patient characteristics associated with outpatient breast cancer screening recommendations in the United States: analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Data 1996-2004., Breast cancer research and treatment, 103 (1), 53-9 Abstract
  • Anderson RT, Camacho FT, Balkrishnan R (2007) Willing to wait?: the influence of patient wait time on satisfaction with primary care., BMC health services research, 7, 31 Abstract
  • Pawaskar MD, Anderson RT, Balkrishnan R (2007) Self-reported predictors of depressive symptomatology in an elderly population with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study., Health and quality of life outcomes, 5, 50 Abstract
  • Kong MC, Camacho FT, Feldman SR, Anderson RT, Balkrishnan R (2007) Correlates of patient satisfaction with physician visit: differences between elderly and non-elderly survey respondents., Health and quality of life outcomes, 5, 62 Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Arondekar BV, Camacho FT, Shenolikar RA, Horblyuk R, Anderson RT (2007) Comparisons of rosiglitazone versus pioglitazone monotherapy introduction and associated health care utilization in medicaid-enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus., Clinical therapeutics, 29 Spec No, 1306-15 Abstract
  • Foley KL, Kimmick G, Camacho F, Levine EA, Balkrishnan R, Anderson R (Jan 2007) Survival disadvantage among Medicaid-insured breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery without radiation therapy., Breast cancer research and treatment, 101 (2), 207-14 Abstract
  • Dominguez AR, Balkrishnan R, Ellzey AR, Pandya AG (Jul 2006) Melasma in Latina patients: cross-cultural adaptation and validation of a quality-of-life questionnaire in Spanish language., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 55 (1), 59-66 Abstract
  • Shenolikar RA, Balkrishnan R, Camacho FT, Whitmire JT, Anderson RT (Jul 2006) Race and medication adherence in Medicaid enrollees with type-2 diabetes., Journal of the National Medical Association, 98 (7), 1071-7 Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Kulkarni AS, Cayce K, Feldman SR (Apr 2006) Predictors of healthcare outcomes and costs related to medication use in patients with acne in the United States., Cutis; cutaneous medicine for the practitioner, 77 (4), 251-5 Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Bhosle MJ, Camacho FT, Anderson RT (Mar 2006) Predictors of medication adherence and associated health care costs in an older population with overactive bladder syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study., The Journal of urology, 175 (3 Pt 1), 1067-71; discussion Abstract
  • Barshes NR, Lee TC, Balkrishnan R, Karpen SJ, Carter BA, Goss JA (Jan 2006) Risk stratification of adult patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure., Transplantation, 81 (2), 195-201 Abstract
  • Bhosle MJ, Feldman SR, Camacho FT, Timothy Whitmire J, Nahata MC, Balkrishnan R (2006) Medication adherence and health care costs associated with biologics in Medicaid-enrolled patients with psoriasis., The Journal of dermatological treatment, 17 (5), 294-301 Abstract
  • Chu-Weininger MY, Balkrishnan R (2006) Consumer satisfaction with primary care provider choice and associated trust., BMC health services research, 6, 139 Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R, Cayce KA, Kulkarni AS, Orsagh T, Gallagher JR, Richmond D, Feldman SR (2006) Predictors of treatment choices and associated outcomes in actinic keratoses: results from a national physician survey study., The Journal of dermatological treatment, 17 (3), 162-6 Abstract
  • Coldiron B, Fisher AH, Adelman E, Yelverton CB, Balkrishnan R, Feldman MA, Feldman SR (Sep 2005) Adverse event reporting: lessons learned from 4 years of Florida office, Dermatologic Surgery, 31 (9 Pt 1), 1079-92; discussion
  • Balkrishnan R, Rasu RS, Rajagopalan R (Jun 2005) Physician and patient determinants of pharmacologic treatment of sleep difficulties in outpatient settings in the United States., Sleep, 28 (6), 715-9 Abstract
  • Balkrishnan R (Jun 2005) The importance of medication adherence in improving chronic-disease related outcomes: what we know and what we need to further know, Medical Care, 43 (6), 517-20
  • Barshes NR, Lee TC, Goodpastor SE, Balkrishnan R, Schock AP, Mote A, Brunicardi FC, Alejandro R, Ricordi C, Goss JA (Mar 2005) Transaminitis after pancreatic islet transplantation, Transplantation, 200 (3), 353-61
  • Balkrishnan R, Nelsen LM, Kulkarni AS, Pleasants RA, Whitmire JT, Schechter MS (Feb 2005) Outcomes associated with initiation of different controller therapies in a, J Asthma, 42 (1), 35-40
  • Balkrishnan R, Sansbury JC, Shenolikar RA, Fleischer AB Jr, Feldman SR (Mar-Apr 2005) Prescribing patterns for topical retinoids within NAMCS data, J Drugs Derm, 4 (2), 172-9
  • Mihalko SL, Brenes GA, Farmer DF, Katula JA, Balkrishnan R, Bowen DJ (Oct 2004) Challenges and innovations in enhancing adherence, Controlled Clinical Trials, 25 (5), 447-57
  • Balkrishnan R, Rajagopalan R, Shenolikar RA, Camacho FT, Whitmire JT, Anderson RT (Oct 2004) Healthcare costs and prescription adherence with introduction of thiazolidinedione therapy in Medicaid type 2 diabetic patients: a retrospective data analysis, Current Medical Research and Opinion, 20 (10), 1633-40
  • Shenolikar RA, Balkrishnan R, Hall MA (Sep 2004) How patient-physician encounters in critical medical situations affect trust: results of a national survey, Bmc Health Services Research [electronic Resource], 4 (1), 24
  • Balkrishnan R, Hall MA, Blackwelder S, Bradley D (August 2004) Trust in insurers and access to physicians: associated enrollee behaviors and changes over time, Health Services Research, 39 (4 Pt 1), 813-23
  • Balkrishnan R, Manuel J, Feldman SR, Rapp SR (July 2004) Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) associated with skin disease, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 51 (1 Suppl), S3-4
  • Balkrishnan R, Kelly AP, McMichael A, Torok H (2004) Improved quality of life with effective treatment of facial melasma: the pigment trial, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : Jdd, 3 (4), 377-81
  • Balkrishnan R, Manuel JC, Smith BP, Camacho FT, Koman LA (2004) Longitudinal examination of health outcomes associated with botulinum toxin use in children with cerebral palsy, J Surg Orthop Adv, 13 (2), 76-80
  • Anderson RT, Skovlund SE, Marrero D, Levine DW, Meadows K, Brod M, Balkrishnan R (April 2004) Development and validation of the insulin treatment satisfaction questionnaire, Clinical Therapeutics, 26 (4), 565-78
  • Balkrishnan R, Cook JM, Shaffer MP, Saltzberg FB, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr (2004) Analysis of factors associated with prescription of a potentially inappropriate combination dermatological medication among US outpatient physicians, Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 13 (3), 133-8
  • Anderson RT, Balkrishnan R, Camacho F (2004) Risk classification of Medicare HMO enrollee cost levels using a decision-tree approach, The American Journal of Managed Care, 10 (2 Pt 1), 89-98
  • Balkrishnan R, Gill IK, Vallee JA, Feldman SR (November 2003) No smoking gun: findings from a national survey of office-based cosmetic surgery adverse event reporting, Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et Al.]., 29 (11), 1093-9; discussion 1
  • Barkin S, Balkrishnan R, Manuel J, Hall MA (2003) Effect of language immersion on communication with Latino patients, North Carolina Medical Journal, 64 (6), 258-62
  • Balkrishnan R, Rajagopalan R, Camacho FT, Huston SA, Murray FT, Anderson RT (2003) Predictors of medication adherence and associated health care costs in an older population with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal cohort study, Clinical Therapeutics, 25 (11), 2958-71
  • Balkrishnan R, Carroll CL, Camacho FT, Feldman SR (October 2003) Electronic monitoring of medication adherence in skin disease: Results of a pilot study, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 49 (4), 651-4
  • Balkrishnan R, Fleischer AB Jr, Paruthi S, Feldman SR (September 2003) Physicians underutilize topical retinoids in the management of acne vulgaris: analysis of U.S. National Practice Data, The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 14 (3), 172-6
  • Feldman SR, Garton R, Averett W, Balkrishnan R, Vallee J (September 2003) Strategy to manage the treatment of severe psoriasis: considerations of efficacy, safety and cost, Expert Opinion On Pharmacotherapy, 4 (9), 1525-33
  • Balkrishnan R, McMichael AJ, Camacho FT, Saltzberg F, Housman TS, Grummer S, Feldman SR, Chren MM (September 2003) Development and validation of a health-related quality of life instrument for women with melasma, The British Journal of Dermatology, 149 (3), 572-7
  • Balkrishnan R, Dugan E, Camacho FT, Hall MA (September 2003) Trust and satisfaction with physicians, insurers, and the medical profession, Medical Care, 41 (9), 1058-64
  • Gupta AK, Cooper EA, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr, Balkrishnan R (August 2003) Analysis of factors associated with increased prescription illegibility: results from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 1990-1998, The American Journal of Managed Care, 9 (8), 548-52
  • Pettey AA, Balkrishnan R, Rapp SR, Fleischer AB, Feldman SR (August 2003) Patients with palmoplantar psoriasis have more physical disability and discomfort than patients with other forms of psoriasis: implications for clinical practice, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 49 (2), 271-5
  • Housman TS, Williford PM, Feldman SR, Teuschler HV, Fleischer AB Jr, Goldman ND, Balkrishnan R, Chen GJ (Jul 2003) Nonmelanoma skin cancer: an episode of care management approach, Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et Al.]., 29 (7), 700-11
  • Manuel JC, Balkrishnan R, Camacho F, Smith BP, Koman LA (June 2003) Factors associated with self-esteem in pre-adolescents and adolescents with cerebral palsy, The Journal of Adolescent Health: Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 32 (6), 456-8
  • Balkrishnan R, Housman TS, Carroll C, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB (May 2003) Disease severity and associated family impact in childhood atopic dermatitis, Archives of Disease in Childhood, 88 (5), 423-7
  • Manuel J, Naughton MJ, Balkrishnan R, Paterson Smith B, Koman LA (Apr-M 2003) Stress and adaptation in mothers of children with cerebral palsy, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 28 (3), 197-201
  • Barkin SL, Balkrishnan R, Manuel J, Andersen RM, Gelberg L (April 2003) Health care utilization among homeless adolescents and young adults, The Journal of Adolescent Health: Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 32 (4), 253-6
  • Anderson RT, Balkrishnan R, Camacho F, Bell R, Duren-Winfield V, Goff D (Mar-A 2003) Patient-centered outcomes of diabetes self-care. Associations with satisfaction and general health in a community clinic setting, North Carolina Medical Journal, 64 (2), 58-65
  • Balkrishnan R, Housman TS, Grummer S, Rapp SR, Clarke J, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr (Jan-F 2003) The family impact of atopic dermatitis in children: the role of the parent caregiver, Pediatric Dermatology, 20 (1), 5-10
  • Balkrishnan R, Hill A, Feldman SR, Graham GF (January 2003) Efficacy, safety, and cost of office-based surgery: a multidisciplinary perspective, Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et Al.]., 29 (1), 1-6
  • Camacho F, Anderson RT, Bell RA, Goff DC Jr, Duren-Winfield V, Doss DD, Balkrishnan R (December 2002) Investigating correlates of health related quality of life in a low-income sample of patients with diabetes, Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation, 11 (8), 783-96
  • Housman TS, Patel MJ, Camacho F, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr, Balkrishnan R (December 2002) Use of the Self-Administered Eczema Area and Severity Index by parent caregivers: results of a validation study, The British Journal of Dermatology, 147 (6), 1192-8
  • Hall MA, Camacho F, Dugan E, Balkrishnan R (October 2002) Trust in the medical profession: conceptual and measurement issues, Health Services Research, 37 (5), 1419-39
  • Hall MA, Zheng B, Dugan E, Camacho F, Kidd KE, Mishra A, Balkrishnan R (September 2002) Measuring patients' trust in their primary care providers, Medical Care Research and Review : Mcrr, 59 (3), 293-318
  • Balkrishnan R, Camacho FT, Smith BP, Shilt JS, Jacks LK, Koman LA, Rascati KL (Summer 2002) Cost impact of botulinum toxin use in Medicaid-enrolled children with cerebral palsy, Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association, 11 (2), 71-9
  • Balkrishnan R, Christensen DB, Bowton DL (May 2002) Self-reported health status, prophylactic medication use, and healthcare costs in older adults with asthma, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50 (5), 924-9
  • Balkrishnan R, Hall MA, Mehrabi D, Chen GJ, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr (April 2002) Capitation payment, length of visit, and preventive services: evidence from a national sample of outpatient physicians, American Journal of Managed Care, 8 (4), 332-40
  • Onder G, Penninx BW, Balkrishnan R, Fried LP, Chaves PH, Williamson J, Carter C, Di Bari M, Guralnik JM, Pahor M (March 2002) Relation between use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and muscle strength and physical function in older women: an observational study, Lancet, 359 (9310), 926-30
  • Balkrishnan R, Naughton M, Smith BP, Manuel J, Koman LA (2002) Parent caregiver-related predictors of health care service utilization by children with cerebral palsy enrolled in Medicaid, Journal of Pediatric Health Care : Official Publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners, 16 (2), 73-8
  • Hall MA, Dugan E, Balkrishnan R, Bradley D (2002) How disclosing HMO physician incentives affects trust. Not all cost-minimizing physician incentives are ethically troubling to patients, Health Affairs (project Hope), 21 (2), 197-206
  • Balkrishnan R, Byerly WG, Camacho FT, Shrestha A, Anderson RT (November 2001) Effect of prescription benefit changes on medical care utilization in a Medicare HMO population, American Journal of Managed Care, 7 (11), 1093-100
  • Balkrishnan R, Furberg CD (October 2001) Developing an optimal approach to global drug safety, Journal of Internal Medicine, 250 (4), 271-9
  • Balkrishnan R, Christensen DB (February 2001) A comparison of medication adherence indices to assess long-term inhaled corticosteroid medication use, The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 38 (1), 91-8
  • Balkrishnan R, Anderson RT (February 2001) Predictive power of a risk-assessment questionnaire across different disease states: results in an elderly managed care enrolled population, American Journal of Managed Care, 7 (2), 145-53
  • Balkrishnan R, Christensen DB (September 2000) Inhaled corticosteroid nonadherence and immediate avoidable medical events in older adults with chronic pulmonary ailments, The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 37 (6), 511-7
  • Balkrishnan R, Anderson RT, Bowton D (Aug 2000) Self-reported health status predictors of healthcare services utilization and charges in elderly asthmatic patients, The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 37 (5), 415-23
  • Balkrishnan R, Christensen DB (April 2000) Inhaled corticosteroid use and associated outcomes in elderly patients with moderate to severe chronic pulmonary disease, Clinical Therapeutics, 22 (4), 452-69
  • Aday LA, Begley CE, Lairson DR, Balkrishnan R, , Evaluating the Healthcare System: Effectiveness, Efficiency and Equity, Chicago, IL, Health Administration Press

Profile Details

Last Verified: 5/29/2009

COS Expertise ID #1100886
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/rbalkrishnan