Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Introduction to Epidemiology
Teaching staff
We encourage you to contact the teacher with concerns about the course's progress. To do this, you can request a tutorial to:
Adrián González Marrón (agonzalezm@uic.es)
Introduction
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related situations or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems.
In this course, students will learn basic epidemiological methods and their applications. In this course, we will understand how to apply and interpret epidemiological methods for health promotion, disease prevention, and clinical practice.
Pre-course requirements
It is required to have taken the course or be enrrolled in Biostatistics.
Objectives
1) Describing the identifiable causes of disease using population pattern analysis, group comparisons, and individual monitoring as core epidemiology methods.
2) Understanding health and illness as determined phenomena, with detectable patterns that can be looked for and surveyed.
3) Designing hypotheses to determine the association between exposure and health outcomes, comparing disease frequencies as a function of exposure.
4) Examining the conditions in which the exposures and outcomes are causally associated, and assessing the factors that may offer alternative explanations, such as random error and bias.
5) Selecting which type of study answers a specific question, distinguish when a random trial is needed to prove efficacy and effectiveness.
6) Differentiating between ethics that conditions the use of a clinical assault.
7) Applying indicators in diagnostic decision making, and their applications in the area of patient safety, quality control, and interventions.
8) Assessing how epidemiological reasoning can be applied to identify patterns in the populations and formulating causal hypotheses both cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 06 - Develop professional practice with other health professionals, acquiring teamwork skills.
- 12 - Understanding the foundations for action, the indications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
- 28 - Obtaining and using epidemiological data and assess trends and risks in health related decision-making.
- 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
- 37 - Acquire basic training for research.
- CB-2 - To know how to apply and incorporate knowledge, an understanding of it and its scientific basis and the ability to solve problems in new and loosely defined environments, including multidisciplinary contexts that include both researchers and highly specialised professionals.
- CB-3 - To know how to evaluate and select the appropriate scientific theories and precise methodologies required by their field of study to make judgements based on incomplete or limited information. Where necessary and appropriate, this includes a reflection on the ethical and social responsibility linked to the solution suggested in each case.
- CB-6 - To have developed sufficient autonomy to participate in research projects and scientific or technological cooperation within the student’s own thematic and interdisciplinary context. This should also include a high degree of knowledge transfer.
- CTP-3 - To develop critical thinking and reasoning as well as self-assessment skills.
- CTS-2 - To demonstrate sensitivity to environmental issues and act accordingly.
Learning outcomes of the subject
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
1) Define Epidemiology and its use in epidemiological reasoning
2) Explain how ethical principles affect epidemiological research
3) Calculate frequencies and rates to quantify and describe the distribution of health outcomes
4) Explain the basic concepts of epidemiological analysis: exposure, outcome, risk, bias, and confounding
5) Identify and describe basic epidemiological designs
6) Use the principles of causality to health outcomes and to make hypotheses about their mechanisms
7) Use evidence of association to assess whether a relationship is causal
8) Apply the concepts of test performance to diagnostic validity and screening
9) Apply the concepts of benefit, harm, and costs to health decisions
10) Describe the applicability of epidemiological methods in Public Health, clinical and basic research, and health policy
Syllabus
Unit 1. Introduction to epidemiology and measures in epidemiology
Unit 2. Types of epidemiological studies
Unit 3. Diagnostic tests
Unit 4. Biases and confounding
Unit 5. Epidemiology and public health
Teaching and learning activities
In person
1. Masterclass Lesson (LM)
2. Presentation and Resolution of cases (PRc)
3. Individual Academic Mentoring (TAP)
4. Self-study and personal work (ATP)
- Theoretical-Practical Classes (LM): Sessions for the entire group. The teaching team will explain the theoretical concepts of each topic and propose exercises to be solved in class based on the theoretical concepts explained in the classroom.
- Problem-Solving Practical Classes (PRc): Group classes divided in a conventional classroom. In each session, review exercises will be carried out around problems that will be given to the students in advance.
The exercises will be designed to provide opportunities for INDIVIDUAL practice with basic concepts before quizzes and the final exam.
On the day of the PRc session, students who want their work to be counted for grading must bring the exercises PRINTED and make corrections on paper in a different color from the one used. The exercises will be corrected, and students will submit the paper to the teacher at the end of the class, who will validate it. Practical classes have an assessable content of up to 2.5 points (see assessment systems and criteria)
The subject will have two forums:
Notices forum: A forum where the teaching staff will communicate with students regarding the subject's procedures or content of general interest.
Consultation forum: A communication forum for students' questions and inquiries, with shared participation.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
ORDINARY EXAMINATION PERIOD
Final exam (75%): multiple-choice exam with four answer options, only one of which is correct, with penalty for incorrect answers.
Continuous assessment activities (max 25%):
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Case methods (25%): tasks to be completed during the case method (CM) sessions. The case methods will be conducted in the classroom. Failure to attend a CM session will result in a grade of zero for that CM. Completion of the CMs without attending the session will only be permitted in cases of duly justified absence.
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Extra credit activities (up to 5%): during the course, students may make small contributions in class or in forums. Relevant participation may be assessed with up to 0.5 points (out of 10) to refine the final grade, which may be added to the final mark.
To pass the course, both the final exam grade and the case methods grade must be at least 5.
SECOND EXAMINATION PERIODStudents who do not pass the course in the first examination period will have a second examination period to achieve the minimum score of 5 on the multiple-choice exam and/or the case methods.
Bibliography and resources
Recommended references
- Lash TT, et al. Modern Epidemiology, 4th Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2021.
- Fernández-Crehuet Navajas J, y cols. Piédrola Gil. Medicina preventiva y salud pública, 12.ª edición. Barcelona: Elsevier España, 2016.