Clinical Epidemiology
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Epidemiology
(GradCertClinEpi) KG007 or GCCLIEPI1000
Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology
(GradDipClinEpi) KF062 or GNCLIEPI1000
Master of Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology)
(MMed(ClinEpi)) KC055 or MAMECLEP3000
Master of Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology)
(MScMed(ClinEpi)) KC056 or MASMCLEP3000
| Course | Credit points for award | Duration full-time | Duration part-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GradCertClinEpi | 24 | 0.5 year* | 1 to 3 years |
| GradDipClinEpi | 36 | 1 year | 1 to 3 years |
| MMed(ClinEpi) | 48 | 1 year | 2 to 4 years |
| MScMed(ClinEpi) | 48 | 1 year | 2 to 4 years |
*only available Semester 1
Overview
Clinical epidemiology is the science of applying the best available research evidence to patient care. This program is intended to provide clinicians and clinical researchers with the opportunity to learn and apply the principles of clinical epidemiology and 'best evidence'.
The master's courses are aimed at the 'doers' of clinical research, while the graduate diploma and graduate certificate are for the 'users' of clinical research, ie. people who want to make better use of research in their clinical decision making.
The graduate certificate is a part-time coursework degree usually conducted over one year. The graduate diploma is a part time or full time coursework degree usually conducted over one to two years. The master's course is a part-time or full-time coursework degree usually conducted over one to two years.
The Master of Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) and the Master of Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) are essentially the same program with different admission requirements. Only medical graduates (ie those with an MBBS) may be admitted to the Master of Medicine while non-medical graduates may be admitted to the Master of Science in Medicine. Students follow the same program of study, with the only distinction between them being the title of the course they are awarded on completion.
Course outcomes
The program has been designed to ensure that the theory learned by participants can be applied to patient care and readily integrated into their day-to-day work. Students will learn how to think critically, learn independently and strive for excellence in clinical practice and research.
Course information
The program is delivered by academics and clinicians from the University and outside organisations. The wide-ranging experience and knowledge of teaching staff ensures an up-to-date coverage of topics and issues related to clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine. The tutorials and small group sessions provide the opportunity for discussion of issues and problems and a critical review of the literature.
The units of study are offered in several ways, including online, blended and traditional face-to-face formats (as either weekly sessions or all-day workshops). All students are required to complete at least some units of study online and it is now also possible to complete all our courses by distance learning.
Assessment for the 'Epidemiological Methods', 'Introductory Biostatistics' and 'Controlled Trials' units of study is by a mid semester assignment and written examination at the end of semester. All other units of study are assessed by oral presentation and/or written assignment.
Classes are generally scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings after 5pm, although some are also offered during the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The exceptions are units that are offered as day-long workshops and the online units.
To avoid timetable clashes, students enrolled full time will be required to attend some of their units of study during the day. Graduate certificate, diploma and master's degree students attend combined sessions.
Further enquiries
Course secretary
Phone: +61 2 9351 5994
Fax: +61 2 9351 5049
Email:
Website:
sydney.edu.au/medicine/public-health/future-student/study-program/coursework-degrees/clinical-epidemiology.php
Degree resolutions
Sydney Medical School resolutions and the printed handbook are the official statement of faculty policy. The resolutions contained in the printed handbook are accurate as at August 2012. If a conflict is perceived between the content of the printed handbook and information available elsewhere, Sydney Medical School resolutions and the information available in the handbook online shall always take precedence. See the handbook online website:
sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine/
See the Policy Online website: sydney.edu.au/policy, for copies of University policies.
Master of Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology)
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
| Code | Course and stream title |
|---|---|
|
KG007 |
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Epidemiology |
|
KF062 |
Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology |
|
KC055 |
Master of Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology |
|
KC056 |
Master of Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) |
2 Attendance pattern
3 Master's type
0.
The master's degrees in these resolutions are professional master's courses, as defined by the Coursework Rule.
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the Faculty, have qualifications, evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
0.0
a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification;
0.0
a bachelor's degree with first or second class honours from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification;
0.0
a pass bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. Applicants must have completed work equivalent to a first or second class honours bachelor's degree or pass a preliminary examination(s) as prescribed by the Faculty.
0.0
a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification;
0.0
a bachelor's degree with first or second class honours from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification;
0.0
a pass bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. Applicants must have completed work equivalent to a first or second class honours bachelor's degree or pass a preliminary examination(s) as prescribed by the Faculty.
0.0
a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.
0.0
a bachelor's degree with first or second class honours from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification;
0.0
a pass bachelor's degree in a health discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. Applicants must have completed work equivalent to a first or second class honours bachelor's degree or pass a preliminary examination(s) as prescribed by the Faculty.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Table of Units of Study: Clinical Epidemiology.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Epidemiology a candidate must successfully complete 24 credit points, including:
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology a candidate must successfully complete 36 credit points, including:
(4)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) or Master of Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) a candidate must successfully complete 48 credit points, including:
7 Transitional provisions
Table of units of study: Clinical Epidemiology
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Core units |
|||
| CEPI5102 Literature Searching |
2 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| PUBH5010 Epidemiology Methods and Uses |
6 | N BSTA5011 |
Semester 1 |
| PUBH5018 Introductory Biostatistics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Elective units |
|||
| BETH5202 Human and Animal Research Ethics |
6 | A A three-year undergraduate degree in science, medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, philosophy/ethics, sociology/anthropology, history, or other relevant field, or by special permission. |
Semester 2 |
| CEPI5200 Quality and Safety in Health Care |
6 | A clinical experience strongly recommended |
Semester 1 |
| CEPI5202 Advanced Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests |
2 | C PUBH5208 |
Semester 2b |
| CEPI5203 Introduction to Systematic Reviews |
2 | C CEPI5102 |
Semester 2a |
| CEPI5204 Advanced Systematic Reviews |
2 | A CEPI5102 P CEPI5203 C PUBH5211 |
Semester 2b |
| CEPI5205 Doing a Systematic Review |
6 | A CEPI5102, PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 - Please speak to the Unit Coordinator if you have not successfully completed these units prior to beginning CEPI5205 P CEPI5203 C CEPI5102 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| CEPI5206 Intro Teaching Clinical Epidemiology |
2 | P PUBH5010 C PUBH5208 and CEPI5203 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| CEPI5207 Advanced Teaching Clinical Epidemiology |
6 | P PUBH5010 C PUBH5208 and CEPI5203 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| CEPI5210 Clinical Research Development & Practice |
4 | A clinical experience is strongly recommended |
Semester 1 |
| CEPI5211 Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology This unit of study is not available in2013 |
2 | Semester 2a |
|
| CEPI5214 Writing and Reviewing Medical Papers |
4 | P PUBH5018, PUBH5010 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| CEPI5305 Translating Research Into Practice |
2 | P PUBH5010, PUBH5018 |
Semester 1 |
| CEPI5306 Clinical Practice Guidelines |
2 | A clinical experience strongly recommended |
Semester 2a |
| CEPI5308 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement |
2 | Semester 1b |
|
| CEPI5310 Advanced Statistical Modelling |
4 | P PUBH5212 |
Semester 1 |
| CEPI5505 Clinical Epidemiology Project 1 |
2 | P PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 and CEPI5102 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| CEPI5506 Clinical Epidemiology Project 2 |
4 | P PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 and CEPI5102 C CEPI5210 or CEPI5505 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| PUBH5205 Decision Analysis |
2 | A Recommended: PUBH5302 Health Economic Evaluation P PUBH5018 and PUBH5010 |
Semester 2b |
| PUBH5206 Controlled Trials |
2 | P PUBH5018 |
Int August |
| PUBH5208 Screening and Diagnostic Test Evaluation |
2 | P PUBH5010 |
Semester 2a |
| PUBH5211 Multiple Regression and Stats Computing |
4 | P PUBH5018 |
Semester 2 |
| PUBH5212 Categorical Data Analysis |
2 | P PUBH5018 C PUBH5211 |
Semester 2b |
| PUBH5213 Survival Analysis |
2 | C PUBH5211 |
Semester 2b |
| PUBH5215 Introductory Analysis of Linked Data |
6 | P PUBH5018 and (PUBH5010 or BSTA5011) and (PUBH5211 or BSTA5004) |
Int June Int November |
| PUBH5224 Advanced Epidemiology |
6 | P PUBH5010 |
Semester 2 |
| PUBH5302 Health Economic Evaluation |
4 | P PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 |
Int Sept |
| PUBH5309 Translational Health |
2 | Semester 2b |
|
| PUBH5500 Advanced Qualitative Health Research |
6 | N QUAL5005 |
Semester 1a |
| QUAL5002 Qualitative Methodologies & Study Design |
6 | A Basic understanding of the nature of qualitative knowledge and the processes of qualitative research. C PUBH5500 Departmental permission is required for students who have not completed PUBH5500. |
Int May |
Unit of study descriptions for 2013
BETH5202 Human and Animal Research Ethics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Professor Ian Kerridge Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 x 8 hr intensive. This course is offered in face-to-face mode or distance mode (fully online). Assumed knowledge: A three-year undergraduate degree in science, medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, philosophy/ethics, sociology/anthropology, history, or other relevant field, or by special permission. Assessment: Continuous assessment (20%); Briefing paper (30%); Position Paper (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode or On-line
This unit of study introduces students to research ethics in its social context. It explores the philosophical underpinnings of the research endeavour including the justifications for engaging in research, research priorities and research integrity. The unit also reviews the history of research and the impact of research abuse on subjects, both human and animal. International and national guidelines for ethical human and animal research will be covered and participants are encouraged to develop practical skills in relation to their own research. The second part of the unit investigates current areas of controversy and public interest in research.
Textbooks
Students are provided with a book of readings (in digital format). Most supplementary readings can be accessed through the library or online.
CEPI5102 Literature Searching
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Angela Webster, Ms Gail Higgins Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: offered online. Assessment: completion of online quizzes (20%), 1x 2000word assignment (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
Students will learn how to formulate a searchable question; the pros and cons of different information sources; how to structure a computerised database search; important fields in MEDLINE; useful practical tips for searching MEDLINE; methodological filters, journal citation reports, and how to organise and manage references. The assignment requires students to demonstrate their search skills for three clinical problems (marks allocated for how many relevant articles found, the content terms used, the methodological terms used, and the databases searched) and to demonstrate skills in the use of Web of Science and Endnote.
Textbooks
Online readings and other learning resources will be provided.
CEPI5200 Quality and Safety in Health Care
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Merrilyn Walton, Professor George Rubin Session: Semester 1 Classes: offered online Assumed knowledge: clinical experience strongly recommended Assessment: online participation (40%) and 1x4500word assignment (60%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
The unit has six major content areas delivered as four modules; Module 1 Understanding Q&S in Healthcare; Module 2 Professional and ethical practice; Module 3 Clinical governance; Module 4 Improving Healthcare. At the end of the unit students will: understand the background to quality and safety in health care, from Australian and international perspectives; understand the nature of health care error including the methods of error detection and monitoring, and quality indicators; understand the role of good communication and other professional responsibilities in quality and safety in healthcare; have developed an understanding of clinical governance, accountability and systems management; have considered methods for improving healthcare such as getting research into practice, clinical practice guidelines and clinical practice improvement. This unit consists of online discussions and activities based around key provided readings and other resources.
Textbooks
Online readings and other learning resources will be provided.
CEPI5202 Advanced Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Clement Loy, Dr Sally Lord Session: Semester 2b Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week for 7 weeks (face-to-face sessions may be offered) Corequisites: PUBH5208 Assessment: Class discussion and presentation (40%), written assignment (60%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
The aim of this unit is to critically appraise and apply, at an advanced level, the best evidence on diagnostic tests. This unit will help students to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in: assessing the quality of articles about diagnostic tests; extracting useful measures of test accuracy; and determining the value of the tests for different patients. At the end of this unit participants will be able to (at an advanced level): critically appraise articles assessing the validity and repeatability of diagnostic tests, and use information from diagnostic test articles to estimate the probabilities of alternative diagnoses with different test results. The principles of meta-analysis of diagnostic test studies will also be presented. The unit is based on discussion of pre-circulated reading material. Assessment will be based on a paper selected for discussion in the final week.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
CEPI5203 Introduction to Systematic Reviews
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sharon Reid, Professor Jonathan Craig Session: Semester 2a Classes: offered online Corequisites: CEPI5102 Assessment: submission of weekly tasks and participation in discussion (18%) and assignment 1x 2000word report (82%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
Students will learn how to critically appraise a review of the effectiveness of an intervention; how to do a meta-analysis; how to weigh up benefits and harms (applicability); how to avoid misleading meta-analyses and how to find or do better systematic reviews. At the end of this unit, participants should be able to: search for systematic reviews; critically appraise reviews of randomised controlled trials, do a meta-analysis of randomised trials using available software; and use meta-analytic methods for weighing up benefits and harms of an intervention in individual patient management and practice policy development. The assignment task is to: outline a clinical or health policy decision that you need to make; identify a systematic review that can help you with your decision-making; critically appraise this source; outline your decision and how you used the evidence to reach it; outline what additional information you would like and how you would obtain it (this may include further analyses on the data presented in the review, further reviews or suggestions for further primary studies).
Textbooks
Online readings and other learning resources will be provided.
CEPI5204 Advanced Systematic Reviews
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Lisa Askie, Dr Angela Webster Session: Semester 2b Classes: (face to face) 1x2hr seminar/week for 7 weeks Prerequisites: CEPI5203 Corequisites: PUBH5211 Assumed knowledge: CEPI5102 Assessment: presentation (10%), critical appraisal assignment (50%), data analysis assignment (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The aim of this unit is to critically appraise and apply, at an advanced level, the best evidence on systematic reviews. This unit extends beyond the 'Introduction to Systematic Reviews' unit by exploring in-depth important issues around systematic reviews. At the end of the unit, students should be able to understand the advantages of individual patient meta-analyses; critically appraise a review of observational studies; understand differences in systematic review of observational studies compared with randomized trials, understand the potential pitfalls of meta-regression, perform and interpret a sub-group and meta-regression analysis, analyse continuous data and understand the methods by which missing data can be imputed, and understand the common problems in meta-analysis of continuous data. The seminar sessions are interactive and based on discussion of reading assignments; two sessions are based in the computer lab.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
CEPI5205 Doing a Systematic Review
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Angela Webster Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: student project under supervision Prerequisites: CEPI5203 Corequisites: CEPI5102 Assumed knowledge: CEPI5102, PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 - Please speak to the Unit Coordinator if you have not successfully completed these units prior to beginning CEPI5205 Assessment: 1 x 2500 word systematic review (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides an opportunity to further develop knowledge and skills in systematic reviews by undertaking a systematic review (ideally including a meta analysis) in an area nominated by the student. The student will be supported by a nominated supervisor. At the end of this unit, students should be able to: undertake a systematic review; do a meta-analysis of randomised trials using available software, and submit the review in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer reviewed scientific, academic or professional journal. The assessment task is to undertake a systematic review and present the review in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer reviewed scientific, academic or professional journal.
Textbooks
There are no essential readings for this unit.
CEPI5206 Intro Teaching Clinical Epidemiology
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sharon Reid Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: student project under supervision. Prerequisites: PUBH5010 Corequisites: PUBH5208 and CEPI5203 Assessment: course materials developed and evaluation report (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The aim of this unit is to further students' knowledge and skills in teaching clinical epidemiology at an introductory level. Students have the opportunity to develop their own teaching modules based upon the modules they have been exposed to in the Clinical Epidemiology Program at the University of Sydney. There is no additional face-to-face teaching. Participants are expected to develop, teach and evaluate a clinical epidemiology module of at least 3 hours teaching time. Participants will use the unit coordinator as a supervisor for their work in this unit. By the end of this unit participants will have developed, delivered and evaluated a teaching module in Clinical Epidemiology by: developing materials about clinical epidemiology relevant to the target audience and setting; developed a method of teaching which is relevant to the target audience and setting; developing and using an assessment tool appropriate for the teaching module; developing and using a method of evaluation appropriate for the teaching module.
Textbooks
Recommended: Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence-base medicine. How to practice and teach EBM. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
CEPI5207 Advanced Teaching Clinical Epidemiology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sharon Reid Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: student project under supervision. Prerequisites: PUBH5010 Corequisites: PUBH5208 and CEPI5203 Assessment: 1 x 2500 word essay, course materials developed and evaluation report (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit aims to further participants knowledge and skills in teaching clinical epidemiology - at an advanced level. Participants have the opportunity to develop their own teaching modules based upon the modules they have been exposed to in the Clinical Epidemiology Program at the University of Sydney. There is no additional face-to-face teaching. Participants are expected to develop, teach and evaluate a clinical epidemiology module of at least 9 hours teaching time. They are also expected to nominate a topic in the area of Teaching Clinical Epidemiology and explore the area in an essay. By the end of this unit participants will have developed, delivered and evaluated a teaching module in Clinical Epidemiology by: developing materials about clinical epidemiology relevant to the target audience and setting; developed a method of teaching which is relevant to the target audience and setting; developing and using an assessment tool appropriate for the teaching module; developing and using a method of evaluation appropriate for the teaching module; explored, through an essay, an academic area of interest in Teaching Clinical Epidemiology.
Textbooks
Recommended: Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence-base medicine. How to practice and teach EBM. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
CEPI5210 Clinical Research Development & Practice
Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Clement Loy, Professor Jonathan Craig Session: Semester 1 Classes: (face to face) 2hr lec/tut/week x 12 weeks Assumed knowledge: clinical experience is strongly recommended Assessment: 1 x assignment (60%) and class presentations (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
In this unit the student will develop his/her own research proposal, to a standard suitable for a peer-reviewed granting body. Each section of a grant proposal (Aims, Background, Significance, Methods, Analysis) will be discussed in class, with the student presenting and refining the corresponding section of his/her own proposal in a workshop setting. This will then be complemented by presentations from experienced researchers on the practical aspects of clinical epidemiological research, including: funding application, ethical approval, implementation of study designs and publication strategies.
CEPI5211 Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology
This unit of study is not available in 2013
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Clement Loy Session: Semester 2a Classes: (face to face only) (2hr lec/tut)/wk x 6 weeks Assessment: 1x2000 wd assignment (70%) and class quizzes/presentations (30%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Evening
This unit introduces the concepts and methodology used in genetic epidemiology. It begins with a refresher on molecular biology and genetics, followed by a survey of commonly used study designs. Practical implementation and statistical analysis of these studies will then be discussed. The unit concludes by exploring potential clinical and societal ramifications. By the end of this unit students will be able to critically appraise genetic epidemiological studies and act as informed research collaborators.
CEPI5214 Writing and Reviewing Medical Papers
Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Angela Webster Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: offered online - 8 self-paced modules each comprising: course notes, lecture, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes (formative) Prerequisites: PUBH5018, PUBH5010 Assessment: formative assessment through quizzes (30%), submitted assignment (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
This unit aims to teach students the principles of research integrity in writing for medical journals, to guide them to resources to improve their conference abstract and manuscript writing and submission. Students will learn about reporting guidelines, common pitfalls in writing and presenting research, writing cover letters and responding to reviewer's comments. Students will learn skills needed to act as a peer-reviewer.
Textbooks
No mandatory text - readings available online.
CEPI5305 Translating Research Into Practice
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Clement Loy Session: Semester 1 Classes: Block mode (2x 1day) Prerequisites: PUBH5010, PUBH5018 Assessment: class presentations (30%) and 1x essay (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
Generally speaking, implementation of research evidence into clinical practice is slow and incomplete. For instance, about 30% of patients do not receive treatment of proven effectiveness, while 20% receive treatments which are unnecessary or potentially harmful. This unit of study aims to help you translate research findings into clinical practice in your workplace. Before the first workshop, you will be asked to identify an evidence-practice gap in your area of clinical practice. In the workshop we will provide you with a theoretical framework for implementing change in clinical practice, and work through barriers to, and enablers for change. We will then review effective strategies for change implementation, and look at some real life examples. We will discuss methods for measuring the effectiveness of change implementation, and for identifying problems during implementation. By the end of this unit of study, you will be able to plan and carry out a knowledge implementation project.
NB. Students enrolled in this unit of study should have had some work experience in the health care setting.
NB. Students enrolled in this unit of study should have had some work experience in the health care setting.
Textbooks
Grol R, Wensing M, Eccles M. Improving patient care: the implementation of change in clinical practice. Elsevier, Edinburgh 2005.
CEPI5306 Clinical Practice Guidelines
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Lyn March, Dr Sharon Reid Session: Semester 2a Classes: offered online Assumed knowledge: clinical experience strongly recommended Assessment: 1 x 4-page critical appraisal and barriers assessment (50%), online discussions and quizzes (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
During this unit students will evaluate guideline development; critical appraisal of guidelines; introduction to implementation and evaluation of guidelines; involvement of consumers in guidelines; examination of hospital-based and community-based guidelines. Group and individual critical appraisal work is required.
Textbooks
Online readings and other learning resources will be provided.
CEPI5308 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Madeleine King, Associate Professor Martin Stockler Session: Semester 1b Classes: online learning, expected student effort: 6-8 hours per week including 1.5 hour online lecture, readings and quizzes each week for six weeks Assessment: completion of online quizzes (30%), 1x2000 word assignment (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
The aim of this unit is to enable students to appraise and incorporate patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in clinical research. PROMs include: symptoms, side-effects, quality of life, satisfaction and preferences. Topics include: definitions, structure and functions of PROMs; item-generation and selection; questionnaire design; assessing validity, reliability and responsiveness to clinically important change; utilities and preferences; developing and appraising studies using PROMs. The online sessions combine information giving (first 90 minutes) with discussion and problem solving (last 30 minutes). The written assignment may be either an appraisal of an existing PROM for a particular purpose; or, a protocol for either developing and validating a PROM; or a protocol for applying a PROM in clinical research.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided. Streiner DL, Norman GR. Health Measurement Scales: a practical guide to their development and use. 4th Ed. Oxford University Press, 2008. (course textbook)
CEPI5310 Advanced Statistical Modelling
Credit points: 4 Session: Semester 1 Classes: (face to face) 2hr lec/tut/week x 12 weeks Prerequisites: PUBH5212 Assessment: 2 x data analysis report (50% each) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit covers statistical analysis techniques that are commonly required for analysing data that arise from clinical or epidemiological studies. Students will gain hands on experience applying model-building strategies and fitting advanced statistical models. In particular, students will learn a statistical software package called Stata, how to handle non-linear continuous variables, and how to analyse correlated data. Correlated data arise from clustered or longitudinal study designs, such as, cross-over studies, matched case-control studies, cluster randomised trials and studies involving repeated measurements. Statistical models that will be covered include fixed effects models, marginal models using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE), and mixed effects models (also known as hierarchical or multilevel models). This unit of study focuses on data analyses using Stata and the interpretation of results.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
CEPI5505 Clinical Epidemiology Project 1
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Jonathan Craig Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: student project under supervision Prerequisites: PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 and CEPI5102 Assessment: 3 meetings with supervisor (face to face or distance) and 1 x 2000word assignment Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Supervision
This unit provides students with an opportunity to develop a Clinical Epidemiology study proposal under supervision. The proposal will include: background to the project; project plan; project significance; justification of the project; project method; budget; and ethical implication of project. At the end of the unit, the student will be proficient in writing research proposals suitable for submission to an appropriate funding body. Student assignment involves writing a study proposal suitable for submission to a funding body.
Textbooks
There are no essential readings for this unit.
CEPI5506 Clinical Epidemiology Project 2
Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Jonathan Craig Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: student project under supervision Prerequisites: PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 and CEPI5102 Corequisites: CEPI5210 or CEPI5505 Assessment: One 4000 word assignment (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Supervision
The aim of this unit is to conduct a clinical epidemiology project and write a report on the project in the form of a paper suitable for publication. The project will involve: refining the project proposal; data collection; data analysis; and produce a report suitable for publication. At the end of the unit, the student will be proficient in conducting and writing a report of a clinical epidemiology project. The report should be suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal.
Textbooks
There are no essential readings for this unit.
PUBH5010 Epidemiology Methods and Uses
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Tim Driscoll Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 1hr lecture and 1x 2hr tutorial per week for 13 weeks - lectures and tutorials may be completed online Prohibitions: BSTA5011 Assessment: 1x 4page assignment (30%) and 1x 2.5hr open-book exam (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day or On-line
This unit provides students with core skills in epidemiology, particularly the ability to critically appraise public health and clinical epidemiological research literature. This unit covers: study types; measures of frequency and association; measurement bias; confounding/effect modification; randomized trials; systematic reviews; screening and test evaluation; infectious disease outbreaks; measuring public health impact and use and interpretation of population health data. It is expected that students spend an additional 2-3 hours preparing for their tutorials.
Textbooks
Webb, PW. Bain, CJ. and Pirozzo, SL. Essential Epidemiology: An Introduction for Students and Health Professionals Second Edition: Cambridge University Press 2011.
PUBH5018 Introductory Biostatistics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin McGeechan and Professor Petra Macaskill Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2 x 2hr lecture, 10 x 1hr lectures, 11 x 2hr tutorials, 2 x 1hr and 8 x 0.5hr statistical computing self directed learning tasks over 12 weeks - lectures and tutorials may be completed online Assessment: 1x4 page assignment (30%) and 1x2.5hr open-book exam (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day or On-line
This unit aims to provide students with an introduction to statistical concepts, their use and relevance in public health. This unit covers descriptive analyses to summarise and display data; concepts underlying statistical inference; basic statistical methods for the analysis of continuous and binary data; and statistical aspects of study design. Specific topics include: sampling; probability distributions; sampling distribution of the mean; confidence interval and significance tests for one-sample, two paired samples and two independent samples for continuous data and also binary data; correlation and simple linear regression; distribution-free methods for two paired samples, two independent samples and correlation; power and sample size estimation for simple studies; statistical aspects of study design and analysis. Students will be required to perform analyses using a calculator and will also be required to conduct analyses using statistical software (SPSS). It is expected that students spend an additional 2 hours per week preparing for their tutorials. Computing tasks are self-directed.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5205 Decision Analysis
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor John Simes, Dr Andrew Martin, Ms Hanna Verry Session: Semester 2b Classes: Six 2 hour sessions (comprising lectures and practical activities) Prerequisites: PUBH5018 and PUBH5010 Assumed knowledge: Recommended: PUBH5302 Health Economic Evaluation Assessment: 1 x quiz (20%) and 1 written assignment (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit examines quantitative approaches to public health and clinical decision-making. Topics of study include: decision trees and health related utility assessment; incorporating diagnostic information in decision making; sensitivity and threshold analysis; and application of decision analysis to economic evaluation. Exercises are set at the end of most sessions and are reviewed at the start of the following session. Readings are also set after most sessions. Preparation time for each session is 1-2 hours. The fifth session comprises a quiz followed by a 1hr practical in the computing room using a decision analysis software package.
PUBH5206 Controlled Trials
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Andrew Martin, Mr Chris Brown Session: Int August Classes: 2x 1day workshops Prerequisites: PUBH5018 Assessment: 1x2hr multiple choice and short answer exam (40%), 1x take home question exam (60%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
This unit introduces important issues in trial design, protocol development, ethics and principles of analysis. Topics of study include: principles of controlled trials; study design and randomization; analysis and interpretation; ethical issues and data management considerations. At the end of this unit, students should acquire skills relating to parallel and cross-over trial design, setting up a randomisation scheme, and understanding issues of multiplicity in clinical trials. During the workshop, there will be formal lectures on an area of controlled trials methodology, followed by a practical session led by a faculty member, based on material to be reviewed by students prior to the class. Lecture notes and solutions to practicals will be provided.
Textbooks
Recommended: Keech A, Gebski V, Pike R. Interpreting and reporting clinical trials: a guide to the CONSORT statement and the principles of randomised controlled trials. Sydney: Australasian Medical Publishing Company; 2007
PUBH5208 Screening and Diagnostic Test Evaluation
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Germaine Wong Session: Semester 2a Classes: 1 x 2hr seminar or 2hr of online discussion per week for 7 weeks Prerequisites: PUBH5010 Assessment: 1x 1000 word critical appraisal (30%) and 1x 1500 word final assignment (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day or On-line
This unit is designed to further develop concepts covered in the Epidemiological Methods Unit for those students seeking more detail on screening and diagnostic tests. It will cover a wider range of topics than clinical medicine alone.
At the end of this unit, participants should be able to:
1. Understand the basic concepts of screening and diagnostic tests
2. Understand the sources of biases in diagnostic test evaluations
3. Critically appraise relevant articles on screening and diagnostic tests
4. Understand the principles and current approaches to population-based screening
5. Application and translation of current evidence of screening in clinical practice
The unit is based on weekly discussion of material provided in the unit workbook, session outlines and pre-reading. Students will be encouraged to contribute examples for discussion. This unit is offered in online/distance mode primarily. Face-to-face tutorials may also be offered.
At the end of this unit, participants should be able to:
1. Understand the basic concepts of screening and diagnostic tests
2. Understand the sources of biases in diagnostic test evaluations
3. Critically appraise relevant articles on screening and diagnostic tests
4. Understand the principles and current approaches to population-based screening
5. Application and translation of current evidence of screening in clinical practice
The unit is based on weekly discussion of material provided in the unit workbook, session outlines and pre-reading. Students will be encouraged to contribute examples for discussion. This unit is offered in online/distance mode primarily. Face-to-face tutorials may also be offered.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5211 Multiple Regression and Stats Computing
Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin McGeechan Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2hr per week for 13 weeks. This unit may be undertaken in face to face or online/distance mode. Students studying in distance mode must have access to a computer running a version of Microsoft Windows compatible with the latest version of SAS. Prerequisites: PUBH5018 Assessment: 1x 4 page assignment (30%) and 1x 10 page assignment (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day or On-line
This unit covers simple and multiple linear regression; one-way analysis of variance to compare more than 2 groups; analysis of covariance to compare groups adjusting for confounders; testing for effect modification; calculating adjusted means; strategies for selecting the 'best' regression model; examination of residuals; regression to the mean; associated SAS programming. Each topic is covered by a 1 hour statistics lecture, a 1 hour SAS lecture, a 1 hour SAS practical and a 1 hour statistics tutorial to discuss the interpretation of the results. Each fortnight there is an exercise on the material covered in the statistics lecture. The SAS practical allows the necessary computing to answer the questions for the statistics tutorial the following week. The assignments will involve practical analysis and interpretation of a data set and between 10% and 20% of the marks for each assignment are for the SAS computing program.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5212 Categorical Data Analysis
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Petra Macaskill Session: Semester 2b Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture, 5 x 1hr lectures, and 5 x 1hr tutorials over 6 weeks. Also available online - such students must have access to a computer running Microsoft Windows. Prerequisites: PUBH5018 Corequisites: PUBH5211 Assessment: 1x 3 page report (30%) and 1x 8 page report (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day or On-line
In this unit the biostatistical concepts covered in earlier units are extended to cover analysis of epidemiological studies where the outcome variable is categorical. Topics of study include: testing for trend in a 2 x r contingency table; the Mantel-Haenszel test for the combination of several 2 x 2 tables, with estimation of the combined odds ratio and confidence limits; multiple logistic regression; Poisson regression; modelling strategy. The assignments will involve practical analysis and interpretation of categorical data. Data analyses will be conducted using statistical software (SAS).
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5213 Survival Analysis
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Judy Simpson Session: Semester 2b Classes: 1 x 1hr lecture and 1 x 1hr tutorial per week for six weeks both face to face and distance mode. Students studying in distance mode must have access to a computer running Microsoft Windows. Corequisites: PUBH5211 Assessment: 1x 3 page assignment (20%) and 1x 10 page assignment (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day or On-line
During this unit, students learn to analyse data from studies in which individuals are followed up until a particular event occurs, e.g. death, cure, relapse, making use of follow-up data also for those who do not experience the event. This unit covers: Kaplan-Meier life tables; logrank test to compare two or more groups; Cox's proportional hazards regression model; checking the proportional hazards assumption; sample size calculations for survival studies. For each topic participants are given some material to read beforehand. This is followed by a lecture, then participants are given one or two exercises to do for the following week. These exercises are discussed in the tutorial at the next session before moving on to the next topic. That is, in most weeks the first hour is a tutorial and the lecture is given in the second hour. Participants are expected to run SAS programs in their own time. Preparation time for each session is 2-3 hours. The assignments both involve use of SAS to analyse a set of survival data.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5215 Introductory Analysis of Linked Data
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Judy Simpson Session: Int June,Int November Classes: block/intensive mode 5 days 9am-5pm Prerequisites: PUBH5018 and (PUBH5010 or BSTA5011) and (PUBH5211 or BSTA5004) Assessment: Workbook exercises (30%) and 1x assignment (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
This unit introduces the topic of linked health data analysis. It will usually run in mid/late June and the last full week of November. The topic is a very specialised one and will not be relevant to most MPH students. The modular structure of the unit provides students with a theoretical grounding in the classroom on each topic, followed by hands-on practical exercises in the computing lab using de-identified linked NSW data files. The computing component assumes a basic familiarity with SAS computing syntax and methods of basic statistical analysis of fixed-format data files. Contents include: an overview of the theory of data linkage methods and features of comprehensive data linkage systems, sufficient to know the sources and limitations of linked health data sets; design of linked data studies using epidemiological principles;construction of numerators and denominators used for the analysis of disease trends and health care utilisation and outcomes; assessment of the accuracy and reliability of data sources; data linkage checking and quality assurance of the study process; basic statistical analyses of linked longitudinal health data; manipulation of large linked data files; writing syntax to prepare linked data files for analysis, derive exposure and outcome variables, relate numerators and denominators and produce results from statistical procedures at an introductory to intermediate level.
Textbooks
Notes will be distributed in class.
PUBH5224 Advanced Epidemiology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Tim Driscoll Session: Semester 2 Classes: Weekly lectures and tutorials for 13 weeks Prerequisites: PUBH5010 Assessment: 1x 4000 word assignment (or equivalent answers to specific methodological questions) (70%), 1x 1500 word assignment or equivalent class presentation (30%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Evening or Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is intended for students who have completed Epidemiology Methods and Uses (or an equivalent unit of study) at a credit or higher level. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to consolidate critical appraisal skills, to acquire the practical knowledge and skills needed to design epidemiological research, and to extend students' theoretical knowledge of epidemiology beyond basic principles.
PUBH5302 Health Economic Evaluation
Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rachael Morton Session: Int Sept Classes: 2x 2day compulsory workshops Prerequisites: PUBH5010 and PUBH5018 Assessment: assignment 1 (40%), assignment 2 (60%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
This unit aims to develop students' knowledge and skills of economic evaluation as an aid to priority setting in health care. This unit covers: principles of economic evaluation; critical appraisal guidelines; measuring and valuing benefits; methods of costing; modeling in economic evaluation. The workshops consist of interactive lectures, class exercises and case history analyses.
Textbooks
A course manual will be provided to each student.
PUBH5309 Translational Health
Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Jack Dowie, Professor Glenn Salkeld Session: Semester 2b Classes: Weekly on-line Assessment: Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ] and creation of an original Annalisa Decision Aid construct (30%), 1500-2000 word Report (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: On-line
Translational Health introduces the main existing translational methods and models in healthcare, most of which focus on 'knowledge translation' and 'bringing evidence into practice', i.e. on moving results from the basic sciences through clinical and public health science and guidelines into clinical and public health decision and policy making. Most of these models diagnose the problem of 'loss in translation' in terms of institutional and professional barriers and blocks along the translation pathways. While acknowledging these, Translational Health focuses on the modelling method - the 'language' and 'vocabulary' - most likely to perform the translation task effectively in relation to patient-centered practice. The technique underlying the method is Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (in contrast to conventional Decision Analysis) and the template for its practical implementation is the Annalisa 2.0+ software. It is shown how high quality clinical and public health decision making needs to be based on 'values translation' as well as 'knowledge translation'. And how the approach can facilitate the desirable 'backwards translation' to ensure research is practice-relevant in both content and format. Students choose from a set of topics within which to pursue the principles, follow empirical examples and develop their own analyses in a practicum.
PUBH5500 Advanced Qualitative Health Research
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julie Mooney-Somers Session: Semester 1a Classes: Block mode (2 x 3 days) Prohibitions: QUAL5005 Assessment: 2x 2000wd assignments (2x40%) plus 2x 500wd reflections on workshops (2x10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
This unit of study provides a comprehensive introduction to qualitative inquiry in health. It is designed for beginners and people who want an advanced-level introduction. Workshop One will address: What is qualitative research? How is it different from quantitative research? What is its history? What research questions can it answer? How can I search for qualitative literature? How do I design a qualitative study? You will learn about interviewing, focus groups and observation; participate in a focus group; and design and conduct your own interview. Workshop Two addresses: How do you analyse qualitative data? Is methodology different to method? What are ontology and epistemology? What is reflexivity (and aren't qualitative researchers biased)? What are the ethical issues? How are methodologies and theories used in qualitative research? What is good quality qualitative research? Can I generalise qualitative findings? You will analyse your own interview data; and learn how to make arguments for qualitative research in health. In both workshops you will meet working qualitative researchers and hear about their projects. This advanced Unit will show you a new way of thinking critically about research and researching, and give you the skills and confidence to begin evaluating and doing qualitative research for yourself.
QUAL5002 Qualitative Methodologies & Study Design
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julie Mooney-Somers Session: Int May Classes: Block mode (2x3 days) Corequisites: PUBH5500 Assumed knowledge: Basic understanding of the nature of qualitative knowledge and the processes of qualitative research. Assessment: 2x1000wd short answer (25%, 25%); 1x 4000wd assignment (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
Note: Departmental permission is required for students who have not completed PUBH5500.
Qualitative methodologies are historical traditions and systems for planning and justifying research methods. This intermediate unit assumes a basic understanding of qualitative research and focuses on qualitative methodologies. Qualitative methodologies are informed by theories from sociology, anthropology, philosophy and other disciplines. They shape the research questions, objectives, design and outcome of a qualitative study. This course begins with general principles of qualitative methodology and study design. We examine seven qualitative methodologies in detail: narrative inquiry, community based participatory research, ethnography, grounded theory, creative, qualitative synthesis, and case study. We consider their historical and theoretical roots, the research practices they encourage, and their current status. The final session considers how we can use methodologies as resources rather than recipes, maintaining both flexibility and coherence in our study designs.