A Short Course in Epidemiology

This book is ideal for all health care professionals who need to acquire a working knowledge of epidemiology. The easy-to-follow format is perfect for self-study and classroom use. The author describes the study designs used in epidemiological investigations, identifies various sources of error, presents strategies for improving validity and efficiency, offers guidelines on choice of study design, and discusses the considerations involved in interpreting results and evaluating the accuracy of epidemiological studies. Numerous examples demonstrate the practical application of the principles presented, and two entire chapters are devoted to practice exercises, many of which are based on recent papers in medical journals. Answers to the exercises, useful tables, and a glossary of key terms are provided at the end of the book.