Deepika Rao, PhD, MS, BPharm
Assistant Professor of Health Outcomes, UT College of Pharmacy-Health Outcomes, The University of Texas at Austin
Deepika Rao is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Outcomes at the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Rao received her PhD in Health Services Research in Pharmacy (2022) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison along with a graduate minor in prevention and intervention science. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Pharmacy Administration (2018) from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Pharmacy (2016) from the University of Mumbai, India. Dr. Rao has completed a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) T32-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (CTBH), Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College.
Dr. Rao’s research is focused on the development and implementation of patient-centered interventions in the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders, especially focused on the role of pharmacists and in pharmacy settings. In her work, Dr. Rao utilizes community engaged research methods, dissemination and implementation sciences, and qualitative and mixed methodologies. Her recent work leverages the rich potential of digital technologies in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders as well as the treatment and management of co-occurring conditions such as chronic pain, pregnancy, and mood disorders.
Selected Publications
- Lord SE, Rao D. Mindful moms: Acceptability and impact of co-designed and digitally delivered video meditations for pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorder. Ann Med. 2025 Dec;57(1):2486585. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2486585. PMID: 40248919; PMCID: PMC12010645.
- Rao D, Ford JH, Shiyanbola OO. Patient and pharmacist perspectives on opioid misuse screening and brief interventions in community pharmacies. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2024 Apr 8;19(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00460-y. PMID: 38589965; PMCID: PMC11003152.
- McLeman B, Gauthier P, Lester LS, Homsted F, Gardner V 3rd, Moore SK, Joudrey PJ, Saldana L, Cochran G, Harris JP, Hefner K, Chongsi E, Kramer K, Vena A, Ottesen RA, Gallant T, Boggis JS, Rao D, Page M, Cox N, Iandiorio M, Ambaah E, Ghitza U, Fiellin DA, Marsch LA. Implementing a pharmacist-integrated collaborative model of medication treatment for opioid use disorder in primary care: study design and methodological considerations. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2024 Mar 18;19(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00452-y. PMID: 38500166; PMCID: PMC10949656.
- Rao D, McAtee C, Mercy M, Shiyanbola OO, Ford JH 2nd. An implementation-focused qualitative exploration of pharmacist needs regarding an opioid use disorder screening and brief intervention. Subst Use Addctn J. 2024 Jan;45(1):24-32. doi: 10.1177/29767342231211428. PMID: 38258852.
- Rao D, Stevenson B, Shiyanbola OO. Using the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change to assess factors affecting diabetes medication adherence among black adults during COVID-19: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Ethn Health. 2023 Oct;28(7):983-1005. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2023.2198683. PMID: 37031348.
- Rao D, Mercy M, McAtee C, Ford JH, Shiyanbola OO. A scoping literature review of pharmacy-based opioid misuse screening and brief interventions. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2023 Aug;19(8):1157-1170. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.05.003. PMID: 37210240; PMCID: PMC10186861.