Schedule of Didactic Sessions | Session 7
Session 7
Date: Tuess. 4/21/09
Topics and Speakers:
Epidemiology and How to Read a Clinical Paper: Rita Popat, PhD (Health Research and Policy)
Communication Exercises: Dr. Marianne Neuwirth
Topic 1: Epidemiology and How to Read a Clinical Paper
Presentation slides are available here.
Learning Objectives: After attending this session, the learner should be able to
- define basic terms used in epidemiology and study designs
- understand how epidemiology contributes to an understanding of any disease
- describe important differences relative to age, geography, ethnicity, family aggregation, and genetic contribution between the epidemiology of type 1 and type 2 DM
- list the major environmental and genetic factors that contribute to DM
- systematically
critique a research
paper
- Identify the study design, methods for sample selection, exposure and outcome measurements
- Evaluate internal validity of study findings: non-causal relationships and positive features of causation
Key words: epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, environmental risk factors, gene-environment interaction
Assignment: Note: Completion of this reading assignment is essential for participating meaningfully in this class.
Weinstein AR, Sesso HD, Min Lee I, Cook NR, Manson JE, Buring JE, Gaziano JM. Relationship of physical activity vs body mass index with type 2 diabetes in women. JAMA 2004; 292:1188-1194. On-line at http://jama.highwire.org/cgi/reprint/292/10/1188.pdf
Please read the above research paper and complete the following sections of the Critical Appraisal Form (handed out in Session 6).
- Sections A-C
- Sections J-L
- Section S
The Critical Appraisal Form appears long, but it should not take you long to complete the above-mentioned sections.
Supplementary Resources for those who are interested (not expected to read for class):
- Gehlbach, S.H., Interpreting the Medical Literature: Practical Epidemiology for Clinicians. 1988, New York City : Macmillan Publishing Company. In Lane Library.
- Hulley, S.B. and S.R. Cummings, eds. Designing Clinical Research. 2nd edition, 2001, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Baltimore . In Lane Library.