Section: Module 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology | Epidemiology | NextGenU.org
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Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Outline the historical achievements in the field of epidemiology and their contributions to public health
- Describe the historical evolution of epidemiology
- Explain the scope, role, and importance of epidemiology as it pertains to public health
- Define the basic terminology used in the field of epidemiology
- Discuss the importance of epidemiologic-based evidence in public health decision-making
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Students mustView
Read "Chapter 1: What is Epidemiology?" and answer 'Study questions' 1.1, 1.4, and 1.7.
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Students mustView
Watch the video titled "Lecture 7: Epidemiology: a brief history" and follow along with the discussion.
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Students mustView
Read "Lesson One: Introduction to Epidemiology," pages 1-1 to 1-20. Pay close attention to the role and the importance of epidemiolgy as it pertains to public health practice.
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Students mustView
Watch the video titled "Public Health 250A - Lecture 5: Descriptive Epidemiology IV: Morbidity Pattern," from the time mark starting at 12:10. Pay special attention to the definitions of key terms.
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Students mustView
Read the entire article to learn more about the ways in which epidemiology can improve decision-making in public health.
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will connect with and learn from a health specialist, public health practitioner, or public health researcher that uses epidemiology in his/her work to gain a better understanding of the role of epidemiology in public health.
Step 1: Identify a health specialist, public health practitioner, or researcher in your country who uses epidemiology in his or her work and who is willing to act as a key informant. Contact this person to request and arrange an interview in person, by phone, Skype, or by e-mail. Explain that you are a NextGenU student taking an introductory epidemiology course, and that you would like to interview them in order to learn more about the importance of epidemiology in public health and how public health professionals use it in their work. University and public health websites are good places to find the contact information of public health researchers (often within departments of health sciences) and practitioners respectively. Furthermore, published research papers often include the contact information of the researchers. You may have to contact more than one individual in order to find a person who is willing to be interviewed.
Step 2: Conduct the interview. Cover the questions outlined below plus any additional questions you may have about epidemiology in general or about the role epidemiology plays in their work.
What is your background? What training is required for your work?
In your opinion, what is the role of epidemiology in public health and why is it important?
Please describe how epidemiology is used in your work?
Could you describe a specific situation where you applied or used epidemiological research in your work?
Please describe your typical day at work.
What are some of the challenges encountered in your work that relate to epidemiology?
Step 3: Write a 750 to 850-word summary of the conversation you had with your key informant (it may help to take notes during your interview). Answer the questions above, and summarize any additional information or advice you received from the interviewee. Be sure to include a brief summary about your key informant, as well as a description of their current area of work. Also, include a concluding paragraph that briefly discusses, in your own words, the role and importance of epidemiology in public health (drawing on your interview and the readings from Module 1).
Step 4: Review your work by asking yourself the questions listed below and then revise your document accordingly before final submission to ensure you capture the self-evaluation questions:
- Have I provided a brief summary of my interviewee, as well as a description of my interviewee's current area of work?
- Did I write a detailed summary of my interview with a key informant (a health specialist, public health practitioner, or researcher that uses epidemiology in his/her work)?
- Have I discussed the role and significance of epidemiology in public health in my own words, demonstrating a clear understanding?
- Did my assignment contain 750-850 words?
- After self-review and necessary revisions, confirm that your assignment is complete and well-articulated, and then submit the final version.
Step 5: Submit your assignment by clicking “add a new discussion topic” below and completing the fields.
OPTIONAL Step 6: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Quiz: Module 1: Lesson 1 (new)
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Students mustView
Read pages 3 to 8 to learn more about the ways in which epidemiology can improve decision-making in public health.
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
Why is epidemiology often described as “the basic science of public health?”