MF9310 – Methods in intervention epidemiology (Evidence Based Medicine)
Course description
Course content
A comprehensive introduction to the process of disease measurement, epidemiological concepts and how to search the literature for evidence will be elaborated. Study design in medical research with a focus on intervention strategies by means of controlled clinical trial, and scientific method, and also follow-up studies with health education intervention design for process and outcome evaluation will be addressed in different countries context (developing vs developed). Randomized clinical trial and methods of randomization including sample size determination will be included as important components of research design. Mathematical models for the analysis of cohort and interventional outcome studies will be covered. C ontrol of confounding and bias will be discussed. Methods for measuring the health benefit in an interventional study using concepts of Attributable risk analysis will be introduces and applied in relevant examples.
Learning outcome
The course will cover the areas with the concepts and principles of epidemiological research with a special focus on interventional design, clinical trials, intervention and data analysis. Further more, it is also intended to strengthen participants insight for appraising evidence based literature for research and decision making. The methodological challenges will be exemplified in the context of developing intervention Epidemiological programme.
Admission
Ph.D. candidates and students at the Medical Student Research Programme will get first priority to the course. Maximum number of participants is 30.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
M.phil and Ph.D. students at the University of Oslo, health professionals employed at the University Hospitals and others with interest in intervention epidemiology in general.
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic understanding of epidemiology.
Teaching
Classroom lectures.
NB! You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance at lectures will be registered.
Examination
Multiple choice/quiz questionnaire at the final day of the course.
Explanations and appeals
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.