Friday 10 February 2023
Introduction to epidemiology will introduce you to the core concepts of epidemiology in a practical and accessible way. By the end of the day you will be able to recognise the major study designs and their strengths and weaknesses and have experience reading and decoding journal abstracts.
Epidemiology is a core skill for many aspects of public health practice, but many people are put off by the image it has of being only about complicated numbers, statistics and formulae. This one day course seeks to dispel those myths and will introduce the core concepts, uses and language of epidemiology in a relaxed and accessible way.
Topics covered
- To identify main epidemiological study types
- Know the key features of the main study types and their strengths and weaknesses
- Apply that knowledge to interpret research abstracts and to understand a real world epidemiological case study
Style of teaching
Small group – i.e. teaching and discussion in a group of up to 20 people. This course will be held in person in Wellington.
Who should attend?
The course is a suitable introduction to epidemiology for anyone working in the health, health policy, health promotion and public health sectors whatever your prior knowledge and experience. It is a good course for those new to public health, or wanting a refresher, or who are considering further study in epidemiology or public health. The course will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
COVID-19 contingency plan
If COVID restrictions prevent in-person/face-to-face delivery of this course, it will be cancelled and the course fee will be refunded in full.
Draft timetable
| Time | Session | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30am | Registration | |
| 9:00am | Epidemiology building blocks and dissecting an abstract | Melissa McLeod and Caroline Shaw |
| 10:30am | Morning tea | |
| 11:00am | Abstract activity 1 | Melissa McLeod and Caroline Shaw |
| 12:30pm | Lunch break | |
| 1:30pm | Abstract activity 2 | Melissa McLeod and Caroline Shaw |
| 3:00pm | Afternoon tea | |
| 3:30pm | Case study Summary of course and evaluation |
Melissa McLeod and Caroline Shaw |
| 5:00pm | Finish |
Teaching staff
Melissa McLeod (Ngāi Tahu) is a public health physician, epidemiologist and senior lecturer working in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington. Melissa's research interests include Māori health, epidemiology and the investigation and elimination of ethnic health inequalities in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Caroline Shaw is a public health physician, epidemiologist and associate professor working in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington. Caroline's research interests include climate change, population health and transport policy, with a particular focus on how we can move to an equitable, healthy low carbon transport system.
Melissa teaches epidemiology and Caroline teaches environmental health in the Diploma of Public Health course.