EPIDEMIOLOGY
The student should have a scientific background in statistics, research methodology, including knowledge of evidence-based medicine.
The exam consists of an oral examination. The objective of the examination is to verify the level of achievement of the previously indicated educational objectives, evaluating the level of knowledge and in-depth study of the topics addressed.
In particular, it will be evaluated the knowledge of the topics, the comprehension / discussion skills of the topics connected to it and the mastery of the scientific language proper to the field of reference and the clarity of expression. The vote is expressed in thirtieths (single vote of the integrated course Medicine and Public Health).
The course aims to provide the students with:
- the criteria of cause-effect in medicine
- the principal types of epidemiological studies and their validity
- the epidemiological measures and principles of statistical analysis related to the measures.
PART I. METHODOLOGY IN EPIDEMIOLOGY
1.Principal epidemiological study: observational study, cross-sectional study, case-control study, cohort study, ecological study
2.Measure of frequency: prevalence, incidence, incidence rate
3.Measure of association: Relative risk, odds ratio, absolute risk, attributable risk
PART II. STUDY VALIDITY
1.Bias e confounding: selection bias, information bias, confounding
2.Interaction and mediation of effect
3.Methods for confounding control: sample identification, data collection, randomization, restriction, matching, stratified and multivariate analysis.
PART III. INFORMATIVE SOURCES OF DATA
1.Registry: cancer registry, stroke registry.
PARTE IV. EVALUATION OF EFFICACY
1.Clinical trials: design, equivalence trial, ethical aspect
2.Concept of statistical inference: confidence intervals, p value, power and sample size of the study.
3.The reviews: bibliographic search, metanalysis, systematic review
The course is based on lectures with slide presentation, examples, exercises and practical sections on the use of bibliographic databases on the web (PubMed), drawing of epidemiological studies, population surveys, meta-analysis.
There will be thematic lessons with experts in the field.
Examples from recent international literature will be used to supplement specific topics. To allow students the possibility of self-assessment, at the end of the course questionnaires with multiple choice questions could be proposed in the classroom. The tests are then analyzed and discussed in the classroom; They are not withdrawn by the teacher and have no weight for the final evaluation.
The teacher is available for students on Tuesdays from 14:00 to 16:00, by appointment or via skype on Friday from 14.00 to 16.00.
Email:licia.iacoviello@uninsubria.it
Skype conct: licia.iacoviello