Principles of Epidemiology

Objectives

This course will concentrate on the use of epidemiology to understand, prevent, and control infectious diseases.

Module I – Introduction to Epidemiology
Module II – The Infectious Disease Process
Module III – Public Health Surveillance
Module IV – Statistical Measures
Module V – Displaying and Interpreting Epidemiologic Variables
Module VI – Interviewing 101
Module VII – An Outbreak Case Study
Module VIII – Preparing An Outbreak Investigation Report

Module I – Introduction to Epidemiology (top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Define key epidemiologic terms
• Describe at least five factors that significantly influence the incidence and distribution of a disease in a human population
• Describe the modern approach to epidemiology

Module II – The Infectious Disease Process (top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Describe the six major components of the infectious disease process
• Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of the infectious disease spectrum

Module III – Public Health Surveillance (top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Define public health surveillance and describe its components
• Demonstrate understanding of the purposes of surveillance and how it relates to public health action
• Describe the two basic forms of surveillance and the most common sources of surveillance information
• Demonstrate knowledge of how to evaluate and improve surveillance systems

Module IV – Statistical Measures(top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Define the most common statistical frequency measures used in infectious disease epidemiology
• Construct a frequency distribution
• Calculate and interpret the following statistical measures:

Ratios
Proportions
Incidence rates, including attack and secondary attack rates
Prevalence
Mortality rates

• Choose and apply the appropriate statistical measures

Module V – Displaying and Interpreting Epidemiologic Variables (top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Define the three categories of epidemiologic variables
• Identify the three main methods used to organize epidemiologic data
• Correctly interpret graphic presentations of epidemiologic data
• Choose appropriate display methods and formats for specific kinds of epidemiologic data

Module VI – Interviewing 101 (top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Define the purpose and goals of epidemiologic interviewing
• Describe methods used to assure confidentiality
• Identify the three components of effective communication
• Describe several techniques for maintaining objectivity and eliciting accurate information

Module VII– An Outbreak Case Study (top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Apply the information learned in previous modules to perform an outbreak investigation
• Identify the steps in disease outbreak investigation
• Identify the data needed for the investigation and how to collect it
• Correctly analyze the information given in the case study and draw appropriate conclusions
• Identify effective measures to control the outbreak and prevent recurrences

Module VIII– Preparing An Outbreak Investigation Report(top)

Objectives: Students who complete this module will be able to

• Identify the purposes of an epidemiologic report
• Define the elements of an epidemiologic report
• Prepare a complete and properly sequenced report
• Describe the appropriate distribution of an epidemiologic report