Clinical Epidemiology: Prognosis, Diagnosis, Clinical Trials
Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of the course the post-graduate students are expected to be able to:
- recognize the importance of using epidemiological methods for the implementation of evidence-based medicine
- estimate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of diagnostic tests and procedures
- evaluate and compare the reliability of diagnostic methods and results
- measure and interpret prognostic indicators based on the duration and severity of diseases
- distinguish between prognostic and risk factors
- design epidemiologic studies aiming to assess disease prognosis
- describe and interpret basic characteristics and specific issues of randomized clinical trials
- describe the methodology and steps in the design and conduct of randomized clinical trials
- interpret the findings and evaluate the methodological adequacy and quality of clinical trials
- use the CONSORT checklist for the reporting of randomized clinical studies
- collaborate for a project presentation
Course content
The course introduces students to the basic concepts, principles, and application of clinical epidemiology. The following topics are covered:
Lectures
- Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology
- Contribution of epidemiology to disease prognosis
- Contribution of epidemiology to medical diagnosis
- Evaluation of therapeutic measures- Basic principles and concepts
- Clinical trials- Design and implementation
- Clinical trials- Analysis I
- Clinical trials-Analysis II
- Levels of Evidence- Development of guidelines for the clinical management of diseases
Practical Sessions
- Critical appraisal of published papers related to diagnosis/prognosis
- Critical appraisal of a published clinical trial
- Guidelines for reporting and publishing clinical trials – the CONSORT criteria
The teaching methods include lectures, critical analysis of published literature and practical sessions.
Category: 1st semester