Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Healthcare

This course will introduce the principles and methods of epidemiologic investigations and biostatistics as they apply to the healthcare context. We will illustrate the methods by which studies of the distribution and transmission of diseases in populations (including disease outbreaks and epidemics) can contribute to an understanding of etiologic factors and can help inform treatments. We will introduce various study designs, including randomized trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies. We will also introduce the building blocks of evidence-based medicine, i.e., systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Quantitative and analytic methods covered during the course include measures of morbidity and mortality, statistical concepts, and measures of diagnostic test accuracy and treatment effectiveness.