Epidemiology in Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

505-969 Epidemiology & Analytic Methods I or equivalent
505-970 Epidemiology & Analytic Methods II or equivalent
505-973 Study Design in Epidemiology
505-971 Linear & Logistic Regression (Pre-requisite or Co-requisite)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will build on the principles and methods covered in Epidemiology and Analytic Methods I and 11 and Study Design in Epidemiology, focussing on the application of epidemiological methods in a range of clinical and population-based settings. Subject content includes screening and diagnostic testing, surveillance of health events, systematic reviews and grant writing and preparation of scientific manuscripts. Practical aspects of running an epidemiological study will be covered including participant recruitment, linking databases, collecting biological specimens, project management and ethical issues. Analytical methods are taught in applied epidemiologic contexts using the Stata statistical software package.

• Appreciate the relevance of screening and diagnostic tests at individual and population levels
• Critically appraise studies on validation of tests and compute estimates that are used to evaluate screening & diagnostic tests
• Have a sound understanding of potential biases of screening data
• Have a sound understanding of study designs, potential sources of biases and analytic techniques in systematic reviews and meta analysis
• Critically appraise and conduct systematic reviews
• Understand the practical issues in designing an epidemiological study including recruiting participants, questionnaire design, collecting biospecimens, maximising follow-up, ethical issues, linking databases
• Have acquired basic protocol development and manuscript preparation skills.
• Apply ethical principles in epidemiological research

One assignment (up to 1000 words) worth 20% due on 3rd contact day (2nd contact week), One 10 minute small group oral presentation (10%) on 4th contact day, One 20 minutes group oral presentation (10%) 5th contact day. The final assessment task is an assignment (up to 2000 words) worth 60% due 3 to 4 weeks after the final contact session.

None

Special computer skills required: Students are expected to have experience using the Stata statistical package for multivariate statistical methods.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject, students are expected to:

• Have a broad understanding of epidemiology research methods and the critical thinking skills to plan and appraise epidemiological studies in applied settings
• Have advanced written communication skills including the ability to clearly describe and appraisal epidemiological study designs in detail
• Effectively communicate complex epidemiological issues through clear oral presentations
• Demonstrate the ability to work in teams and plan and prioritise tasks set outside the contact period
• Be aware of the implications of epidemiologic research to the wider community and know how to operate in an appropriate and sensitive way
• Have an understanding of current method and context issues in epidemiology and biostatistics

This subject is a group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health