Clinical Methods

The course examines the methods used in epidemiologic research, including the design of epidemiologic studies and the collection and analysis of epidemiological data. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of human disease and health outcomes, and the application of methods to improve human health. Epidemiological studies are typically observational in nature, meaning that that the investigator has limited control over the exposure that study participants experience. Epidemiological studies are typically concerned about the health of populations, while clinical medicine is concerned with the health of individual persons.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand epidemiologic hypotheses, concepts and measures
• Describe epidemiologic study designs.
• Understand the strengths and limitations of various epidemiologic study designs.
• Design an epidemiological study.
• Identify sources of bias, confounding and effect modification in epidemiological studies.
• Analyze epidemiologic data using multivariable methods.
• Prepare and make an epidemiological presentation.
• Write an epidemiologic report.
• Write a proposal for an epidemiologic study.
• Critically read epidemiological literature.

This is a graduate level survey course that stresses the concepts of statistical design and analysis in biomedical research, with special emphasis on clinical trials. SAS for Windows statistical software will be used throughout the course for data analysis.