Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
(1) Critically appraise data (epidemiology, clinical research, diagnostic tests, and biostatistics);
(2) Identify and map causal pathways and the determinants of health and health inequalities;
(3) Apply screening concepts, and interpret diagnostic test parameters and performance;
(4) Demonstrate understanding of the Public Health governance and roles ( Monitoring Population Health, Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Services organization and performance, and Health Economics, Infectious Diseases surveillance and control);
(5) Demonstrate an understanding of current global health challenges.
Indicative Module Content:
Week 1
Epidemiology: Principles and rational. Interpreting counts, rates and ratios. Why standard rates? Epidemiological study designs: observational versus interventions; quantitative, mixed methods and qualitative Research Methods Types of variables—patient-Reported Outcomes Measures.
Interpretation of statistical tests used in medical research.. Construction, application and Interpretation of relative rIsk, relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, odds ratio, and mean difference. Understand the concepts of the direction of the effect estimates, the strength of effects estimates, and the precision of effect estimates—principles of screening and the use and interpretation of diagnostic tests.
Week 2
Public Health and population health. Public Health measures and policies that impact life expectancy. Prevention Lifestyle factors, Chronic disease epidemiology. Social and environmental determinants of health. Infectious Disease (contact tracing, surveillance). Health Service delivery and principles of health financing. Audit and quality improvements in medicine. One Health and antimicrobial resistance. Unconscious bias in health systems and its impact on health outcomes. Behavioural change theories applied to individuals and populations.
Week 3 Global Health.
Sustainable Development Goals and Global Health
Health Services in low-income countries, low resource settings.
Overview of the scientific evidence of climate change and Public Health implications. Advocacy