Concepts of Epidemiology Crash Course
Short course
In Edinburgh
Description
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Type
Short course
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Level
Beginner
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Aimed at
For professionals
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Location
Edinburgh (Scotland)
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Class hours
35h
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Duration
5 Days
This popular and intensive 5-day course returns for it's 10th consecutive year! "Concepts of Epidemiology" offers professionals an opportunity to rapidly learn the principles and methods of epidemiology for enhanced research and practice. Held at the University of Edinburgh, in the heart of Scotland's capital, the programme combines informative lectures and inclusive workshops led by Professor Raj Bhopal (Author of the award winning book Concepts of Epidemiology), with major contributions from Drs Colin Fischbacher and Snorri Rafnsson.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
No previous knowledge of Epidemiology will be assumed. Basic arithmetic, algebra and the use of a calculator will be necessary to carry out the course exercises.
Reviews
Subjects
- Epidemiology research
- Healthcare
Teachers and trainers (3)
Dr Colin Fischbacher
Consultant in Public Health Medicine Information Services Division
Dr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson
Epidemiologist & Honorary Fellow, CPHS, University of Edinburgh
Professor R S Bhopal
Bruce & John Usher Professor of Public Health
Course programme
1.1 The individual and the population
1.2 Definition of epidemiology and statement of its central paradigm
1.3 Directions in epidemiology and its uses
1.4 Epidemiology as a science, practice and craft
1.5 The nature of epidemiological variables
1.6 A disease and health problem: an illustration of the interdependence of clinical medicine and epidemiology (Exercise)
1.8 Seeking the theoretical foundations of epidemiology
Session 2 The epidemiological concept of population
2.1 The individual and the population
2.2 Harnessing heterogeneity in individual and group level disease and risk factor pattern
2.3 Disease patterns as a manifestation of individuals living in changing social groups
2.4 Sick populations and sick individuals
2.7 The dynamic nature of human population
2.8 Applications of the population concept
Session 3: Variation in disease by time, place and person: A framework for analysis
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Reasons for analysing disease variations
3.4 Variations and associations: real or artefact?
3.5 Applying the real-artefact framework
3.6 Disease clustering and clusters in epidemiology
3.7 Applications of observations of disease variation
3.8 Epidemiological theory underpinning variations
Session 4: Variation: role of error, bias, confounding and risk modification (interaction)
4.1 Introduction
4.2 A classification of error and bias
4.2.1 The research question, theme or hypothesis
4.2.2 Choice of population
4.2.3 Non-participation
4.2.4 Comparing disease patterns and risk factor-disease outcome relationships in populations which differ (confounding)
4.2.5 Risk/effect modification, susceptibility and interaction
4.2.6 Measurement: differential and non-differential
4.2.8 Analysis and interpretation
4.2.9 Publication
4.2.10 Judgement and action
Session 5: Cause and effect: the epidemiological approach
5.1 Introduction: causality in science and philosophy
5.2 Epidemiological strategy and reasoning: the example of Semelweis
5.3 Models of cause in epidemiology
5.3.1 Interplay of host, agent and environment
5.3.1 Necessary and sufficient cause
5.4 Guidelines for epidemiological reasoning
5.4.2 Application of guidelines to associations
5.4.5 Interpretation of data, study design and causal guidelinesSession 6: Natural history, spectrum, iceberg, and screening: interrelated concepts in the epidemiology of disease
6.1 Natural history of disease
6.3 Spectrum of disease
6.4 The unmeasured burden of disease: the metaphors of the iceberg and the pyramid
6.5 Screening: measuring the accuracy of the test: sensitivity, specificity and predictive powers
6.6 Applications of the concepts of natural history, spectrum and screening
6.7 Epidemiological theory: symbiosis with clinical medicine and social sciences
Session 7: The concept of risk and measures of disease frequency: incidence and prevalence
7.1 Introduction: risks, risk factors and causes
7.2 Quantifying risks, risk factors, and their relationships
7.3 Incidence and incidence rate: the perspective of incidence density and cumulative incidence (or proportion)
7.4 Numerator
7.5 Denominator
7.6 Prevalence and prevalence rate (or proportion)
7.8 Choice of incidence or prevalence
7.9 Presenting rates
Session 8: Presentation and interpretation of epidemiological data on risk
8.1 Introduction
8.3 Adjusted overall rates: standardisation and the calculation of the SMR
8.4 Relative risk
8.5 The odds ratio (OR)
8.6 Measurements to assess the impact of a risk factor in groups and populations
8.6.2 Population attributable risk
8.11 Numbers needed to treat (NNT) or to prevent (NNP)
Session 9: Study design: overview
9.1 Introduction: interdependence of study design9.2. Classifications of study design: five dichotomies
9.3 Case-series: clinical and population based
9.4 Cross-sectional study9.5 Case-control study
9.6 Cohort study9.7 Trials9.8 Overlap in the conceptual basis of the case-series, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and trial designsSession 10: Theoretical, ethical, contextual, practical and critical foundations for future epidemiology
10.1 The interrelationship of theory, methods and applications: a question of values
10.2 Fundamental influences on health
10.6 Epidemiology: forces for change
10.9 The practice of epidemiology in public health.
10.10 Ethical basis and proper conduct of epidemiology
10.12 Some questions relevant to the appraisal of epidemiological research
10.15 A reflection on the future of epidemiology
For full Course details and Programme please see our webpage at http://www.crfr.ac.uk/epidemiology
Additional information
Concepts of Epidemiology Crash Course