Course Syllabus
Epidemiology: Swedish Case Studies |
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| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Public Health, Pre-Medicine/Health Science |
| Prerequisite: |
None |
| Faculty Members: |
Charilaos Chourpiliadis and Sergio Flores (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Program Director: |
Susana Dietrich shsupport@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30 - 9:50, Room: 1D-409 |
Course Description
This course focuses on the central concepts of epidemiology and the different study designs available. Students will analyze and assess epidemiological studies of health status in the Swedish population and explore the value of the renowned Swedish population-based registers. Throughout the course, students will discuss how epidemiology contributes to the large body of public health research and informs decision making in the field.
Learning Objectives
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Define and understand the fundamental concepts of epidemiology
- Distinguish between types of epidemiological studies, and understand their ‘hierarchy’ with respect to research
- Calculate and interpret basic measures of occurrence and association and interpret the results
- Gain an understanding of the unique resources that Swedish health registers represent for epidemiological research
- Apply epidemiological thinking to critically read and appraise articles in medical literature
- Analytically assess collection and analysis of data, and evaluate the relevant hypotheses
- Discuss the public health implications of epidemiological data and research
Faculty
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Charilaos Chourpiliadis MD (University of Patras 2017), MMSc in Epidemiology (Karolinska Institutet 2022). Ph.D student (Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet 2022-present) with a research focus on risk factors (environmental, genetic) on the risk and progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. With DIS since 2024. |
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Sergio Flores M.D., Medicine, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), 2017. M.Sc., Public Health (Health Economics), Umeå University, 2021. Doktorand, Uppsala University, 2021-present. Research Assistant, Heidelberg University, 2021-2023. Scientific Writer, International University of Applied Science, 2023. With DIS since 2024. |
Approach to teaching
Different teaching formats will be used. The course may be a mix of interactive lectures, class discussions, group work, student presentations and peer feedback. Traditional theoretical knowledge acquisition will be combined with problem-based learning techniques. A major part of the course will be based on debating issues, and students are expected to engage actively in oral presentations, discussions, group work and exercises.
Expectations of Students
- Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignment in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class time.
- Reading must be done prior to the class session; a huge part of the class is dependent on discussions in class.
- Students need to be present and participating to receive full credit. The final grade will be affected by unexcused absences and lack of participation. Remember to be in class on time!
- Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
- Students are expected to ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
Evaluation and Grading
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed.
The factors influencing the final grade and the proportional importance of each factor is shown below:
|
Component |
Weight |
|
Participation |
15 % |
|
Presentation and Report (Group work) |
30 % |
|
Individual Presentation |
15 % |
|
Midterm Exam (In class) |
25 % |
|
Individual Assignment |
15 % |
Participation
Participation in class requires arriving on time and being prepared in relation to readings and other assignments. Your participation grade reflects the importance of being active in this course, which relies in great part on the reflections, discussions, and exercises in class. Active participation is essential in both the classroom, on study tours, and in group work. Attendance is mandatory.
Group Report and Presentation
As a group, you are expected to prepare a report (max. 10 pages, 1.5 space, font 12) in which you (1) describe the burden of a disease of your choice, (2) outline an epidemiological register-based or register-supported study. In addition you are expected to prepare a 10 minute presentation. The group work is due on the last day of class. Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class.
Individual Presentation
You are expected to give a 3-5 min pitch presentation on a scientific article that applies to one of the study designs discussed in the course. The presentation should entail a summary and description of a scientific article of your choice. Further detailed guidelines (including dates of presentation) will be provided in class.
Mid-Term Exam
A mid-term quiz which will cover topics from the lectures up to that point. You are allowed to have 1 A4 page of notes with you.
Individual Assignment
You will choose/receive a scientific article that you should critically assess applying one of the assessment tools introduced during the course. You are allowed to discuss with your classmates, the report (max. 3 pages, 1.5 space, font 12) has to be written individually. Further detailed guideline will be provided in class.
Detailed assignment descriptions will be made available on Assignments on Canvas and/or in class.
Field Studies
R Workshop: If not out in the field, the main task of an epidemiologist is to analyze data. Students will receive a hands-on workshop on how to use R. Knowledge of statistical software is essential for epidemiologists. During the workshop students will learn about how to use R for basic data management and analysis.
Field Study 2: Further information will be provided.
Readings
The textbook will be the students’ main reading for the course. Chapters will be assigned for individual lectures. In addition, students will read peer-reviewed scientific articles, which are made available through Canvas. Students are expected to check the calendar. For each calendar event they will find information concerning the readings.
Textbook
David C. Calento (2019) Gordis Epidemiology 6th Edition, Elsevier
Selected peer-reviewed articles
- Lundström et al (2015) Autism phenotype versus registered diagnosis in Swedish children: prevalence trends over 10 years in general population samples, BMJ;350:h1961.
- Victora, C. G. et al. (2004) Evidence-based public health: moving beyond randomized trials. American Journal of Public Health, 94(3), 400-405.
- Murad et al (2016) New Evidence Pyramid, Evid Based Med 2016 21: 125-127
- Ludvigsson et al (2016) Registers of the Swedish total population and their use in medical research, European Journal of Epidemiology;31:125-136.
- Olsen (2011) Register-based research: some methodological considerations, Scandinavian Journal of Public Health;39:225-229.
- Brown et al (2017) The healthy worker survivor effect: target parameters and target populations, Current Environmental Health Reports;4:364-372.
- Lagerlund et al (2005) Socioeconomic factors and breast cancer survival - a population-based cohort study (sweden), Cancer Causes and Control;16:419-430.
- Kosidou et al (2010) Recent time trends in levels of self-reported anxiety, service use and suicidal behavior in Stockholm, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica;122:47-55.
- Von Elm et al (2007) The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies, Epidemiology 18: 800-8004
Web resources
Country specific data on the burden of disease in Sweden:
http://www.healthdata.org/sweden
“Rethinking the mammogram guidelines”
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/11/rethinking-the-mammogram-guidelines/307791/
Information about the Swedish Registers:
“Do Vaccines Cause Autism? Correlation vs. Causation” (1/2) Do Vaccines Cause Autism? Correlation vs. Causation
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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