Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Public Health and Epidemiology
Course Code
SVUEK_088
Branch of Science
Basic medicine
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Digital Health; Health Management
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Inese Gobiņa
Structure Unit Manager
Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne
Structural Unit
Institute of Public Health
Contacts
Riga, Kronvalda boulevard 9, svek@rsu.lv, +371 67338307
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the course is to develop a theoretical and analytical understanding of epidemiological principles and their application in healthcare and public health, while enhancing skills in analysing and interpreting epidemiological data, critically appraising scientific evidence, and applying evidence-informed approaches to healthcare management, digital health, and health policy planning.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge of human physiology, health and disease processes, and fundamental statistical concepts is desirable.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Explain the concepts and interpretation of the main epidemiological measures.
Individual work and tests
Independent study of learning materials and scientific literature provided through the e-learning module • Self-assessed asignment II • Self-assessed assignment III
2.Describe and compare the main epidemiological study designs, including their strengths, limitations, and applications in healthcare and public health.
Individual work and tests
Self-assessed assignment III • Self-assessed asignment II • Independent study of learning materials and scientific literature provided through the e-learning module • Self-assesed assignment I
Skills
1.Calculate the main epidemiological measures.
Individual work and tests
Self-assessed asignment II • Self-assessed assignment III
2.Analyse and interpret epidemiological data and health research findings.
Individual work and tests
Self-assessed assignment III • Self-assesed assignment I
3.Critically evaluate the methodology of epidemiological studies and the resulting health data, taking into account the study design, data collection methods, and potential sources of bias.
Individual work and tests
Self-assesed assignment I • Self-assessed asignment II • Self-assessed assignment III
Competences
1.Critically evaluate and interpret epidemiological data and scientific evidence to inform decision-making in public health, healthcare, and health management.
Individual work and tests
Self-assessed assignment III
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Independent study of learning materials and scientific literature provided through the e-learning module |
-
|
-
|
|
Independent study of learning materials and scientific literature available through the e-learning environment, aligned with the thematic content of the course. |
||
|
2.
Self-assesed assignment I |
10.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Assignment on descriptive study designs submitted on the e-learning platform |
||
|
3.
Self-assessed asignment II |
20.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Assignment on epidemiological study designs and measures of disease frequency submitted on the e-learning platform |
||
|
4.
Self-assessed assignment III |
20.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Assignment on measures of association and diagnostic test performance submitted on the e-learning platform |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Final course exam |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
The final course assessment is conducted during the last course session and consists of both open-ended questions and structured multiple-choice questions on epidemiology. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired during the course, including understanding of epidemiological principles, interpretation of epidemiological data, and critical appraisal of scientific evidence. Detailed information on the final assessment, assessment criteria, and sample questions are available in the course e-learning environment. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Epidemiology and health management. Evidence-based medicine and health care
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Descriptive epidemiological studies. Confounding
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cross-sectional studies. Sampling error/bias. Prevalence
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case-control studies. Bias
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cohort studies. Incidence
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Experimental studies. Clinical randomized trials
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diagnostic tests
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Measures for association: odds ratio, relative risks and attributable risk
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cohort studies. Incidence
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diagnostic tests
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Public health and health management
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Disease screening
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health information
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Final course exam
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Saleh, Jalal-Eddeen Abubakar. Concise Handbook of Epidemiology, Bentham Science Publishers, 2024. ProQuest Ebook Central.Suitable for English stream
2.
Fleming, S. Managerial epidemiology cases and concepts, 2015. ProQuest Ebook CentralSuitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Digital Public Health : Interdisciplinary Perspectives, edited by Hajo Zeeb, et al., Springer, 2025. ProQuest Ebook Central.Suitable for English stream
2.
Somerville, Margaret, et al. Public Health and Epidemiology at a Glance, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central,Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
Eurostat DatabaseSuitable for English stream
2.
WHO Health DataSuitable for English stream
3.
OECD Health StatisticsSuitable for English stream