Epidemiology Series

Topic: 
Epidemiology & Surveillance
Format: 
Online Course
Time: 
2 hours
Level: 
Intermediate
University: 
University of Arizona
PERLC: 
Mountain West Preparedness and Emergency Learning Center

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Description: 

The Epidemiology Series is a four-part comprehensive epidemiology program delivered in a blended instruction format, including online coursework and workshops. Components of the Epidemiology Series include: Epidemiology for Preparedness, Outbreak Epidemiology, Epidemiology for Arizona Health Departments and Public Health Data Management and Analysis. These modules can be completed in any order, although students may find the order they are presented to be the most useful.

Learning Objectives: 
  • Describe different types of epidemiological studies
  • Define the basic measures of association used to describe an event or exposure
  • Describe what an Epi Curve is and how epidemiologists use them during an outbreak investigation
  • List some of the main purposes and goals of surveillance
  • Describe the four common types of surveillance systems in place in Arizona
  • Describe the past and current uses of surveillance systems in Arizona
  • Explain the general structure of an Incident Command System and how this system can be applied to the day-to-day operations of a Communicable Disease Division
  • Describe some of the potential roles an Epidemiologist may play in different emergency scenarios
  • Describe the roles and relationships related to communicable disease epidemiology of the various health departments within the state of Arizona
  • Explain the importance and process of reporting communicable diseases
  • Distinguish the various groups required by law to report disease in Arizona
  • Describe MEDSIS and how it is used to report and analyze data
  • Describe surveillance systems used in Arizona
  • Describe national based surveillance systems and how they are put to use locally
  • Describe ways in which epidemiologists may determine that an outbreak is occurring
  • List the common modes of transmission associated with infectious diseases
  • Outline the different goals of an investigation depending on the stage of the outbreak
  • List the five reasons for investigating an outbreak
  • Detail the steps in conducting an outbreak investigation
  • Describe how and why diseases are reported in Arizona
  • List the four groups responsible by law, to report disease in Arizona
  • List the sources and uses of public health surveillance data
  • List the steps involved in modifying or creating a questionnaire
  • List the fundamental elements in building a database
  • Describe the basic statistical analyses and how they can be interpreted
  • Describe cross-sectional, case control and cohort epidemiological study designs
  • Describe ways to plan for data management during a public health emergency
PHEP Capabilities: 
Public Health Surveillance and Epidemiological Investigation