Socio-Medical Approach in Quantitative Studies (SL_109)
About Study Course
Objective
The course will give students in-depth knowledge of classical statistical concepts and methods with emphasis on methods used in epidemiology and public health. The course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials they need to engage in rigorous population health research. Students are trained in the conceptual, methodological, and biostatistical skills they need to conduct epidemiological research. Students develop expertise in both the foundational concepts that underlie study design and analysis and in the innovative methods that are changing and improving the practice of epidemiology. The course trains students to apply social science theories, concepts, and methods to public health practice and policy making.
The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge and skills regarding the application of statistical and epidemiological methods relevant to health and public health issues. The course also aims to introduce statistical concepts and methods with emphasis on mathematical applications in epidemiology and public health.
Prerequisites
Application of statistical and epidemiological methods relevant to health and public health issues. The importance of statistical thinking; types of data (nominal, binary, discrete and continuous variables); data summary measures; contingency tables; graphical representations; notions of probability; probability models (distributions); principles of statistical inference; parameter estimation (mean, proportion (prevalence), incidence and ratios); concepts of confidence intervals and hypothesis tests; and a general introduction to correlation and linear regression models.
Learning outcomes
The course will provide in depth knowledge about the classical statistical concepts and methods with emphasis on methods used in epidemiology and public health, including theory, ethics, context, and critical appraisal.
The students will gain knowledge about research that includes studies of the mechanisms behind social differences in health, evaluations of the impact of medical care and society on the health as well as planning and evaluation of programs aiming to prevent ill health in different population groups.
The course will provide extended knowledge on the theory and practice, planning epidemiological studies in health-care sector, as well as how health advocacy encompasses direct service to the individual or family as well as activities that promote health and access to health care in communities and the larger public.
After successfully completing this course students should be able to assess and discuss on health-related statistical methods used in different fields like medicine, anthropology, ethics, history, psychology, and sociology, as well as analyse the appropriateness of the methods used.
The students also will able to plan studies and assess: 1) quality and equity in medical care; 2) collaboration for health and 3) health in working life and vocational rehabilitation.
The students will be competent to:
• apply social science theories, concepts, and methods to public health practice and policy making.
• identify relevant social and economic determinants of health in different types of studies as well as other research fields.
• account for the most common types of epidemiological studies.
• identify and discuss the pros and cons of various epidemiological methods.
• account for the most common statistical methods on epidemiological data.
• practically plan, implement and explain statistical and epidemiological methods to solve a research problem.
• determine which statistical method is most appropriate for a given problem in one of the above fields.
• discuss factors and interventions in the health- and welfare system.
• discuss on priorities in health and health care and plan the monitoring of the interventions.
