B101.20.21 Introduction to Epidemiology and Study Designs

Goal

According to the dictionary of epidemiology, «Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to control of health problems». In this module we will cover basic epidemiologic terms and definitions, as well as the main epidemiologic quantities we encounter in public health related publications and in clinical studies. Furthermore, you will learn to identify the study designs most often used in population-based and clinical epidemiology.

Contents

  • Basic terms in demography (sex and age structure of the population, birth and death rates, life expectancy and infant mortality)
  • Study designs we cover: Cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies, intervention studies and diagnostic accuracy studies
  • Basic quantities in epidemiology: Prevalence, incidence rates (crude and age-adjusted), risk ratio, risk difference, number needed to treat, odds ratio, sensitivity, specificity

Methods

The module consists of two days of work in class and completion of tasks between the two days. The module follows in part the textbook «Essential Epidemiology 3rd edition (2017)» by Penny Webb and co-authors. The book will be sent to the participants in advance and some reading (about 100 pages) will be necessary before the first day and between the two module days. The teaching material will be made available on a password-protected module homepage (http://intro-epi.ispmbern.ch/).

In total 12 hours of off-class work and tasks are expected between May 13 and May 16.

Exam

Written exam during the module

Preparation and postprocessing

12 hours preparation, no postprocessing
12 hours of off class work between the two module days

ECTS Credits

1 ECTS Credit

Organisation

Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin der Universität Bern

Module lead

Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Kuehni, Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin der Universität Bern
Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwahlen, Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin der Universität Bern

Dates

12 May and 17 May 2021

Location

Bern

Fees

CHF 1'100.-

Registration deadline

12.03.2021

Additional information

The teaching language is English.

The module will be taught in distance education mode if required by COVID-19 regulations.

Unsere Stärken. Ihr Gewinn.

Weiterbildung in Public Health