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Hlaing WM. Competencies acquired in epidemiology doctoral programs. Ann Epidemiol 2019; 36:1-4. [PMID: 31320154 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to compile and describe the range of competencies imparted by doctoral programs in epidemiology using publicly available information. METHODS Through the Council on Education for Public Health database, institutions conferring doctoral (PhD, ScD, DrPH) degrees in epidemiology were identified. The competencies listed on the corresponding institutions' websites were extracted and summarized. RESULTS Forty-eight PhD and thirteen DrPH institutions indicate that their graduates will gain 11 common competencies. The most frequently noted competency for both PhD (93.7%) and DrPH (100%) degrees is related to the communication domain, reflecting the need for graduates to be able to effectively communicate epidemiologic information to others (epidemiology peers, other scientists, policy makers, students). CONCLUSIONS Although variations in the listed competencies exist among doctoral programs in epidemiology, there are common competencies across programs. Further examination of these programs is required to capture information beyond that conveyed on the websites. This preliminary report, along with those findings presented in previous reports on doctoral education, may stimulate further discussion with a group of faculty teaching at the doctoral level, employers of doctoral graduates, and/or the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health representatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- WayWay M Hlaing
- Division of Epidemiology and Population Health Sciences, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
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2
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Salerno J, Knoppers BM, Lee LM, Hlaing WM, Goodman KW. Ethics, big data and computing in epidemiology and public health. Ann Epidemiol 2017; 27:297-301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Ciesielski TH, Aldrich MC, Marsit CJ, Hiatt RA, Williams SM. Transdisciplinary approaches enhance the production of translational knowledge. Transl Res 2017; 182:123-134. [PMID: 27893987 PMCID: PMC5362296 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The primary goal of translational research is to generate and apply knowledge that can improve human health. Although research conducted within the confines of a single discipline has helped us to achieve this goal in many settings, this unidisciplinary approach may not be optimal when disease causation is complex and health decisions are pressing. To address these issues, we suggest that transdisciplinary approaches can facilitate the progress of translational research, and we review publications that demonstrate what these approaches can look like. These examples serve to (1) demonstrate why transdisciplinary research is useful, and (2) stimulate a conversation about how it can be further promoted. While we note that open-minded communication is a prerequisite for germinating any transdisciplinary work and that epidemiologists can play a key role in promoting it, we do not propose a rigid protocol for conducting transdisciplinary research, as one really does not exist. These achievements were developed in settings where typical disciplinary and institutional barriers were surmountable, but they were not accomplished with a single predetermined plan. The benefits of cross-disciplinary communication are hard to predict a priori and a detailed research protocol or process may impede the realization of novel and important insights. Overall, these examples demonstrate that enhanced cross-disciplinary information exchange can serve as a starting point that helps researchers frame better questions, integrate more relevant evidence, and advance translational knowledge more effectively. Specifically, we discuss examples where transdisciplinary approaches are helping us to better explore, assess, and intervene to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy H Ciesielski
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH; Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH; Public Health Program, Regis College, Weston, Mass.
| | - Melinda C Aldrich
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn; Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
| | - Robert A Hiatt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Scott M Williams
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH; Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
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Kreiger N. Epidemiology today: Mitigating threats to an ecosystem. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2016; 107:e3-e8. [PMID: 27348106 DOI: 10.17269/cjph.107.5289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ecosystems comprise all the living and non-living things in a particular area (e.g., rain forest, desert), which interact and maintain equilibrium. Loss of equilibrium (e.g., clear-cutting trees in a rain forest) can mean the decline of the ecosystem, unless it is able to adapt to the new circumstances. The term "knowledge ecosystem" describes an approach to managing knowledge in a particular field; the components of this system include the people, the technological skills and resources, and information or data. Epidemiology can be thought of as a knowledge ecosystem and, like ecological systems, its existence can be threatened, from both internal and external forces that may alter its equilibrium. This paper describes some threats to the epidemiology knowledge ecosystem, how these threats came about, and what responses we can make that may serve to mitigate those threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Kreiger
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada.
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5
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Brownson RC, Samet JM, Chavez GF, Davies MM, Galea S, Hiatt RA, Hornung CA, Khoury MJ, Koo D, Mays VM, Remington P, Yarber L. Charting a future for epidemiologic training. Ann Epidemiol 2015; 25:458-65. [PMID: 25976024 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify macro-level trends that are changing the needs of epidemiologic research and practice and to develop and disseminate a set of competencies and recommendations for epidemiologic training that will be responsive to these changing needs. METHODS There were three stages to the project: (1) assembling of a working group of senior epidemiologists from multiple sectors, (2) identifying relevant literature, and (3) conducting key informant interviews with 15 experienced epidemiologists. RESULTS Twelve macro trends were identified along with associated actions for the field and educational competencies. The macro trends include the following: (1) "Big Data" or informatics, (2) the changing health communication environment, (3) the Affordable Care Act or health care system reform, (4) shifting demographics, (5) globalization, (6) emerging high-throughput technologies (omics), (7) a greater focus on accountability, (8) privacy changes, (9) a greater focus on "upstream" causes of disease, (10) the emergence of translational sciences, (11) the growing centrality of team and transdisciplinary science, and (12) the evolving funding environment. CONCLUSIONS Addressing these issues through curricular change is needed to allow the field of epidemiology to more fully reach and sustain its full potential to benefit population health and remain a scientific discipline that makes critical contributions toward ensuring clinical, social, and population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross C Brownson
- Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; Division of Public Health Sciences and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
| | - Jonathan M Samet
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Gilbert F Chavez
- Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Sacramento
| | - Megan M Davies
- Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh; Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sandro Galea
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Robert A Hiatt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Carlton A Hornung
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
| | - Muin J Khoury
- Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Denise Koo
- Office of Public Health Scientific Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Vickie M Mays
- Department of Psychology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and UCLA BRITE Center for Science, Research and Policy, Los Angeles CA; Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and UCLA BRITE Center for Science, Research and Policy, Los Angeles CA
| | - Patrick Remington
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison
| | - Laura Yarber
- Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, College of Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
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McKeown RE. Is epidemiology correcting its vision problem? A perspective on our perspective: 2012 presidential address for American College of Epidemiology. Ann Epidemiol 2013; 23:603-7. [PMID: 23972899 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiology, like all disciplines, exists within and is shaped by a culture that frames its ways of understanding. In the last 60 years epidemiology as a discipline and scientific approach has undergone major transition, but remains challenged by vestiges of the limiting frameworks of our origins which shape the way we approach questions, and even the questions we choose to investigate. A part of the current transformation is a reframing of our perspective and a broadening of our methods to encourage creativity and to encompass new types of evidence and new approaches to investigation and interpretation. Epidemiologists are developing innovative ways to approach increasingly complex problems and becoming more open to multi-disciplinary approaches to solving epidemiologic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E McKeown
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
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