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Epidemiology for Health Psychologists

Unit Code: HMS755




Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

1 Semester

3 Hours per Week

Hawthorn

Nil

Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

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Aims & Objectives:

To provide health psychology students with an understanding of some of the methodologies used in epidemiological research and to develop critical skills in the evaluation of health and medical literature related to rates and risks.

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Teaching Methods:

Classes Supplemented by Computer Laboratory Work. Unit available on and off campus (distance mode).

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Assessment:

Assignments, Tests. Extra assessment tasks may be required for DPsych students.

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Generic Skills Outcomes:

The graduate attributes which relate to this unit of study help to produce graduates who:

  • Are capable in their chosen professional areas.
  • Operate effectively in work and community situations.
  • Are aware of environments.

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Content:

  • Introduction: epidemiologic criteria for causality.
  • Measurement of exposures and outcomes.
  • Demographic measures: birth and death rates.
  • Case-control and cohort study designs.
  • Intervention studies: clinical trials and community interventions.
  • Screening.
  • Rates: prevalence and incidence.
  • Ratios: SMR and PMR.
  • Risks: odds ratios and relative risks; logistic regression.

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Textbooks:

Gordis, L, Epidemiology, 3rd edn, W.B. Saunders Company, 2004

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References:

Clayton, D & Hills, M, Statistical Models in Epidemiology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993.
Hennekens, CH & Buring, JE, Epidemiology in Medicine, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1987.
Kahn, HA, Statistical Methods in Epidemiology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1989.
Karlen, A, Plagues Progress: A social history of man and disease, Victor Gollancz, London, 1995.
Kleinbaum, DG, Kupper, LL & Morgenstern, H, Epidemiologic Research: Principles and Quantitative Methods, Belmont, Wadsworth, California, 1995.
Lilienfeld, DE & Stolley, PD, Foundations of Epidemiology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1994.
Rothman, KJ, Modern Epidemiology, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1986.
Schlesselman, JJ, Case-Control Studies: Design, Conduct, Analysis, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1982.

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