Associate Professor 
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics & Neurology
Core Faculty-African Studies Center
MPH 2000 UCLA (Epidemiology)
MD 1994 University of Chicago
BA 1990 Indiana University
Michigan State University
326 West Fee
East Lansing, MI 48824-1313
517-353-8122
Fax: 517-432-9414
Email:
Gretchen.Birbeck@ht.msu.edu
Community of Science Expertise Profile
Dr. Birbeck’s interest in neuroepidemiology and health services research originated from her work in the early 1990’s sub-Saharan Africa. As a neurologist, she has investigated the neurologic conditions presenting to a large rural Zambian hospital. Epilepsy and other seizure disorders constitute a major health problem in this region and ongoing investigations via population-based surveys and case-control studies are being conducted to determine the prevalence of epilepsy in this region and to explore why epilepsy is so common.
Her health services research has focused upon epilepsy care and care for vulnerable populations. She is particularly interested in non-traditional outcome measures; including health-related quality of life measures in epilepsy care assessment. She is also principal investigator for the California Resources in Stroke Study, a population-based study of hospital-based stroke care in California.
1. Gretchen L. Birbeck, Xinping Cui, Barbara G. Vickrey. IV-tPA use for acute stroke in California. Stroke 2000;31(11):2883.
2. Gretchen L. Birbeck, M.D. Neurologic disease in a rural Zambian hospital. Tropical Doctor 2000;31:1-4.
3. Gretchen L. Birbeck, Sehyun Kim, Ron D. Hays, and Barbara G. Vickrey. Quality of life measures in epilepsy-How well can they detect change over time? Neurology 2000;54:1822-1827.
4. Gretchen L. Birbeck, M.D. Seizures in rural Zambia. Epilepsia 2000;41(3):277-281.
5.Gretchen L. Birbeck, M.D. Barriers to care for patients with neurologic disease in rural Zambia. Archives of Neurology 2000;57(3):414-417.
6. Gretchen L. Dike, M.D. Severe malnutrition due to subtle neurologic deficits and epilepsy. East African Medical Journal 1999;76(10);597-598.
7. Gretchen L. Dike, M.D. Traditional African medicines complicate the management of febrile seizures. European Neurology 1999;42(3):184.