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Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology
Professional Development Short Course

Overview

The Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology short course is a stand-alone course that differs from the other short courses offered by the Sydney School of Public Health.

It DOES NOT provide credit towards future enrolment in Masters, Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (Clinical Epidemiology) degrees.

In this course we aim to introduce you to 'Clinical Epidemiology' the science of applying best available evidence to patient care. It is desirable that those who apply to do this short course have some clinical experience or experience in clinical research. The assessment tasks assume this knowledge and experience.

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Course dates

This course will be offered twice in 2009:
Courses start in Semester 1 (Monday 1 March to Friday 25 June) and Semester 2 (Monday 26 July to Friday 19 November).

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Course Objectives

At the end of the course participants should be able to:

  • Formulate a concise clinical question, find and appraise the evidence and apply the information to patient care;
  • Identify the best type of study to answer clinical questions;
  • Locate and critically appraise articles on treatment, systematic reviews and diagnostic tests;
  • Identify major sources of bias and their likely effects on results;
  • Understand and interpret: 95% confidence intervals; p values; and power estimates;
  • Understand, calculate and interpret: prevalence; incidence; relative risk; risk ratio; odds ratio; risk difference; number needed to treat;
  • Calculate and interpret: sensitivity; specificity; likelihood ratios; pre- and post-test probability of disease.
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Course Content

The six topics of the course will address different questions:

  1. How to ask clinical questions and use efficient literature searching strategies?
  2. The basics of epidemiology - study designs and measures of effect
  3. Understanding Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
  4. Understanding Systematic Reviews
  5. Understanding Diagnostic Test Studies
  6. Understand and apply the evidence - a critical appraisal task
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Course Structure

This course is fully online and is structured around the six 'topic' modules. You can work through the course materials at your own pace, whenever and wherever you like, within the semester time frame.

WebCT/IT support is available via email - with a response usually within the working day. Academic support is also available via email - with response within 1-2 working days (if issues can't be dealt with via email, a phone call would be fine). Once you are enrolled, you will be given access and the instructions on how to use WebCT.

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Assessment

In the Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology – Short course you will be assessed in the following ways:

1. Formative assessment:

Module 1 to 5 Tasks are formative assessment – no marks will be assigned for your answer to the task and you will be given feedback in the form of a ‘model’ answer once you have submitted your task.

2. Summative assessment:

Module 6 Task -
No grades are given for the Module 6 task, however, you will be required to make a ‘Satisfactory’ attempt before you are given your ‘Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology – Short course’ completion certificate.

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Course Fee

The course fee for Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology in 2010 is $860. Please contact for details.

The University's tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be varied during the period of study. The exact tuition fee may depend on the specific units of study in which you enrol.

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How to apply

Applicants wanting to undertake the Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology short course offered by the Sydney School of Public Health need to complete the application form and tax invoice (PDF).

Please either fax or post the application form with payment to :

Miranda Cheung
Course Secretary
Sydney School of Public Health
Edward Ford Building (A27)
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006

Tel: +61 2 9351-5994
Fax: +61 2 9351-5049
Email:

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Application Deadline

Your completed application form and payment must be received by the School one month before the start of each semester. However, late applications may be accepted up to one week before the start of the course.

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Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be made once the course has commenced. All cancellations must be in writing and addressed to Dr Sharon Reid.

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