Unit name | Clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine |
---|---|
Unit code | BRMSM0011 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Penny Whiting |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Bristol Medical School |
Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
This unit introduces key concepts and study designs commonly employed in clinical epidemiology and Evidence Based Medicine. Students will gain a practical understanding of survey and questionnaire design. The unit will provide an overview of the key principles of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and equip students with the skills to critically assess trial methodology. It will also introduce systematic reviews and other types of evidence reviews , with the aim of ensuring that students can recognise potential sources of bias when conducting evidence syntheses. Students will also gain a practical understanding of conducting diagnostic test evaluation and prognostic research, including developing and testing a prediction model. The key critical appraisal and evidence synthesis skills and knowledge acquired during this unit will be transferable to all epidemiological and public health research designs.
There will be 10 teaching weeks, plus reading week and revision week. The unit is taught in teaching blocks 1 and is campus-based.
Face to face teaching for a total of 50 hours will include lectures and tutorials. Directed and self-directed learning (150 hours) will include activities such as reading and preparation for assessment
Formative assessment will support student learning by using informal questioning, quizzes and group exercises in lectures and tutorials. These will form assessments for learning and will not contribute to the final unit mark. Feedback will consolidate learning for the summative assessments.
Summative assessment: The unit is assessed by coursework (100%):
An overall score of 50% will be required to pass the unit.
There is no essential course text.
Recommended reading: