Competences in Epidemiology and Public Health Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Public Health PhD students in Epidemiology and Public Health need to master the fundamental concepts of public health. These include: – Epidemiology Determinants of health and illness; epidemiological study designs and measurements; sources of errors and bias; risk factor and causality concepts; statistical concepts to analyse and interpret data. – Social and behavioural science in health research Addressing inequities in health; psychosocial factors affecting health behaviour; strategies for health promotion and disease prevention. – Health system research Effectiveness, efficiency and equity of health care systems; outcome research; basic knowledge of health economics and health policy. – Exposure science Basic concepts on how to measure and characterise exposure to environmental causes of diseases.
Research skills Students need to be: – Trained in general research skills including writing scientific manuscripts and grant applications, and advanced methodological skills in the specific area of research. – Able to pose innovative and important research questions informed by a systematic review of the literature, stakeholder needs, and relevant theoretical and conceptual models, and to select an appropriate study design to address the research question. – Equipped to work in a multi-disciplinary team, ensure ethical professional conduct and effectively communicate research findings and implications to technical and non-specialist audiences (through publications, presentations, teaching). – Able to show the policy implications of their research and express these to a broad audience.
Personal and management skills Many practical skills are acquired during the research work. As the project progresses, the student should gradually take over tasks related to project management and leadership and thus develop these skills.
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