39108 - Elements of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student possesses the knowledge and ability to understand: epidemiology and its application in general disease prevention, food and nutrition hygiene, concepts and possible applications of statistics in biomedical and clinical settings, and the planning, organization and management of health services.

Course contents

History and definition of Epidemiology.


Epidemiology and descriptive statistics.


Analytic epidemiology: measures of association, confounding factors and bias, causality criteria.


Statistical significance and clinical significance.


Main epidemiological study designs: experimental studies, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, ecological studies.


Vaccinations as a practical example of analyzing a public health problem.

Readings/Bibliography

Fantini Dallolio Fabbri Bravi – Igiene e Sanità Pubblica II Ed. Marzo 2012 Vol. Pag. 272 ISBN: 9788874884964, DOI: 10.15651/978-88-748-8496-4, Editrice Esculapio

Rothman Kenneth J. Epidemiologia, 2007, X-214 p., ill., Tradotto da Torre G.; Boccia S.; Mannocci A. Idelson Gnocchi Editore

Guest Charles, Walter Ricciardi, Ichiro Kawachi, Iain Lang. Manuale Oxford di Sanità Pubblica, 3° Edizione. Edizione Italiana a cura di Walter Ricciardi e Leonardo Palombi. Piccin Editore, 2015 ISBN: 978-88-299-2719-7

Teaching methods

Practical exercises and discussions of scientific articles will also be offered during the lectures.Each lecture will consist of a first frontal part and a second practical part with discussion of scientific data/cases/articles or solving exercises.

 

Assessment methods

Examination Methods

Registration for the exam must be completed exclusively through Alma Esami, within a single examination session for the Integrated Course.

The final assessment consists of an oral examination, during which the student will mainly discuss one topic chosen from the syllabus.
During the interview, additional questions will be asked in order to assess:

• the depth of knowledge of the chosen topic and of other subjects covered in the course;

• the critical ability to connect different areas of knowledge;

• the achievement of an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the topics discussed during lectures.

For the sake of fairness in assessment, the oral examination lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, divided as follows:

• 1 minute to assess the student’s presentation skills on a topic of their choice (without interruptions from the examiner);

• approximately 9 minutes for questions aimed at testing the student’s knowledge and understanding of the syllabus contents.

The exam will be considered passed if the student demonstrates sufficient knowledge of all topics.

Assessment Criteria

Students who achieve a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the subjects covered in the course, combined with their critical application, the ability to establish connections, and the mastery of disciplinary language and terminology, will receive the highest grades.

The final mark for the Integrated Course is determined by the weighted arithmetic average of the individual components, based on their respective credits.

Grading Scale

• 18–19 → Knowledge of a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical ability that emerges only with the lecturer’s guidance; overall correct language.

• 20–24 → Knowledge of a limited number of topics and autonomous analytical ability only on purely operational issues; correct language.

• 25–29 → Knowledge of a wide range of topics, ability to make autonomous critical analyses, mastery of specific terminology.

• 30–30L → Comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous critical and integrative analyses, full command of specific terminology, and strong argumentative and self-reflective skills.

Students with Disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are invited to contact the dedicated office as soon as possible:
👉 https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti

This will allow for the definition of appropriate compensatory measures.
Requests must be submitted to the lecturer at least 15 days before the exam date, who will evaluate the adequacy of the proposed measures in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

 

Teaching tools

PC and video projector, flip chart, lecture hall with PC for practical exercises.


Lecture materials presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format via the Internet.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Gori