Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Public Health: Demography and Epidemiology
Teaching staff
Students can consult the teachers in each class with questions. Outside these hours, you must request an appointment by email:
Dr. Pere Castellví Obiols: pcastellvi@uic.es
Dra. Samantha Álvarez Salazar: salvarezs@uic.es
Dr. Xavier Corbella Virós: xcorbella@uic.es
Introduction
Epidemiology is a scientific discipline in the area of medicine that studies the distribution, frequency and determining factors of diseases in human populations.
Public health is the area of science that is responsible for ensuring the health and well-being of the population. It includes disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, demography, research methodology, disease prevention, health promotion, health management and policy, or social and behavioral sciences, among other central disciplines in its program; but also includes transversal skills such as data processing, bioinformatics, cultural diversity, communication, leadership, professionalism, planning and evaluation of health programs and technologies, among others.
It has even given way to subspecialties such as school health, maternal and child health, occupational health, environmental health, health management or the evaluation of medical technologies, among others. In this sense, public health provides health science professionals with the ability to observe existing problems in the population, analyze them and establish an improvement plan.
Pre-course requirements
It is necessary for the student to be familiar with the contents of subjects already completed in the medical degree related to this subject such as Introduction to epidemiology, Environmental health and epidemiology, Immersion in medicine (II), Biostatistics and Epidemiological research.
Objectives
• Have the necessary skills to calculate and evaluate the most commonly used epidemiological indicators
• Know the most appropriate study designs according to the research question being asked and the prevalence or incidence of the disease
• Know how the validity of a diagnostic test is calculated and interpreted
• Differentiate what is a bias, the random error, when we can infer causality between a cause and an effect, and know how to identify and control the confusion and calculate the interaction
• Knowing how to identify the aspects that influence the health of the community, the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthy habits and lifestyles.
• Be able to design and plan disease prevention and health promotion strategies in different care areas and population groups.
• Know the basic concepts of health economics
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 10 - To understand and recognise the agents and risk factors which determine health status, and learn how they determine the symptoms and natural development of acute or chronic diseases in individuals and populations.
- 12 - Understanding the foundations for action, the indications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
- 19 - Propose preventive measures appropriate to each clinical situation.
- 23 - Communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing with patients, family members, media and other professionals.
- 25 - Recognize the determinants of public health; genetic and sex-dependent lifestyle, demographic, environmental, social, economic, psychological and cultural determinants.
- 26 - Assume role in the prevention and protection from diseases, injuries or accidents and maintenance and promotion of health, both individual and at the community level.
- 27 - Recognize role in multidisciplinary teams, assuming leadership when appropriate, for the delivery of health care, such as interventions for health promotion.
- 28 - Obtaining and using epidemiological data and assess trends and risks in health related decision-making.
- 29 - Understand national and international health organisations, and the environments and conditions of the different health care systems.
- 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
- CTP-3 - To develop critical thinking and reasoning as well as self-assessment skills.
- CTS-1 - To know the principles of leadership and decision making in ordinary situations or in conflicts with and between various ethical, legal and professional elements.
- CTS-2 - To demonstrate sensitivity to environmental issues and act accordingly.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students must be able to:
• Calculate and interpret the distributions and associated risks between a risk factor and a disease.
• Know how to differentiate each of the existing study designs and choose appropriately when developing a research project
• Know and differentiate each of the necessary terms in epidemiology such as causality, bias, random error, confounding and interaction
• Identify and analyze the aspects that influence the health of the community, the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthy habits and lifestyles.
• Design, plan and evaluate disease prevention and health promotion strategies in different care areas and population groups.
Syllabus
Part I. Epidemiology. Measuring methods and instruments.
T1.- Introduction to Epidemiology
T2.- Measures and Indicators
Case method 1.- Calculation of Measures and Indicators
T3.- Study design
Case method 3.- Study design
Case method 4.- Meta-analyses
T4.- Diagnostic tests
Case method 5.- Diagnostic tests
T5.- Causality, Error, Bias, Confusion and Interaction
Case method 6.- Causality, Error, Bias, Confusion and Interaction
T6.- Natural history of the disease
Part II. Public Health Strategies: promotion, prevention and management
T7.- Health promotion and disease prevention
Case method 7.- Health promotion and disease prevention
T8.- Health economics
Case method 8.- Disease burden indicators
T9.- Communicable diseases
Case method 9.- Study of an epidemic outbreak
T10.- Determinants of health
T11.- Surveillance of public health
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Theoretical classes will be combined with case methods related to theoretical classes, problem-based learning and face-to-face practice.
Theoretical classes will be held in person. During the master classes, it will begin with doubts and questions, followed by the corresponding syllabus and related real examples.
A research paper will be carried out on climate change or climate action and health or medicine
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
FIRST CALL
The subject will be evaluated according to the following parameters:
- Midterm exam (15%): It will consist of 50 questions with 4 answer options and a practical elaboration case with a short answer. There will be a correction of the random successes of 33% of the errors.
- Final exam (45%): It will consist of 50 questions with 4 answer options and a practical elaboration case with a short answer. There will be a correction of the random successes of 33% of the errors. A score of 5 or more on the test is necessary to be able to score with the rest of the grades.
- Case Methods Exercises (20%): Case Methods will be evaluated and the mean will be calculated.
- Final work (20%): The final work (70%) and the presentation (30%) will be evaluated.
- Class attendance and participation will account for an additional 10% of the final grade.
SECOND CALL
The notes of the partial exam and continuous assessment are saved for the second call in case the first call has been suspended.
The second call final exam will consist of a test of 50 multiple-choice questions with 4 answer options and a short-answer Practical Case. There will be a correction of the random successes of 33% of the errors. A score of 5 or more on the multiple choice exam will be necessary to pass the subject.
Bibliography and resources
Mandatory bibliography:
The mandatory bibliography will be specific chapters of the following books that will be reported during the semester:
David Celentano, Moyses Szklo. fat Epidemiology (6th Edition). Barcelona: Elsevier, 2019.
Kenneth J. Rothman. Modern epidemiology. Madrid: Diaz de Santos, 1987
Piedrola Gil Preventive medicine and public health (12th Edition). Barcelona: Elsevier, 2016.
Grant S. Fletcher. Clinical epidemiology (6th edition). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2021.
Optional bibliography:
During the course, a specific bibliography will be provided for certain contents of the subject.