Epidemiology: Board Review Course 2023-Epidemiology (Recording)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this 2023 ACPM review course session, Ned Colange extensively covers the fundamental terms, definitions, and concepts of epidemiology. The session's agenda covers a broad range of topics, starting with measures of disease frequency and descriptive epidemiology, followed by discussions on excess risk, study designs, causal inference, confounding, effect modification, and disease screening.<br /><br />Colange introduces critical measures like incidence, prevalence, mortality, and case fatality rates, emphasizing their calculation and interpretation. He highlights the significance of understanding the numerator and denominator in disease frequency measures, showcasing how the population's size and time frame impact these calculations.<br /><br />The discussion on study designs differentiates between descriptive and analytic studies, delving into observational and intervention studies, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experiments. Colange outlines how to minimize bias and confounding in research, ensuring valid causal inferences.<br /><br />Causal association is addressed through the Bradford-Hill criteria, guiding the evaluation of epidemiologic evidence. Colange also explains confounding and effect modification, illustrating techniques to control these through design and analysis phases.<br /><br />The section on disease screening emphasizes the importance of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and the impact of prevalence on test outcomes. Colange elucidates the biases inherent in screening processes and strategies to enhance predictive values.<br /><br />Finally, the session concludes with basic terminology surrounding infectious disease epidemiology, detailing types of transmission, infection, outbreak management, and control methods, vital for understanding disease spread and prevention strategies. Overall, this session aims to equip attendees with a solid foundation in epidemiology for effective disease management and prevention.

Keywords

epidemiology

disease frequency

descriptive epidemiology

excess risk

study designs

causal inference

confounding

effect modification

disease screening

incidence

prevalence

mortality rates

case fatality rates

Bradford-Hill criteria

infectious disease epidemiology