Chapter 1 - Introduction Flashcards
What is epidemiology and the characteristics typically involved when dealing with the cause of disease?
Epidemiology is the study of how disease is distributed in populations and of the factors that influence or determine this distribution. Where the characteristics can be primarily genetic in origin or may be the result of an environmental hazard relating to disease.
What are the 5 primary objectives of Epidemiology?
1) Identify the etiology (cause of disease)
2) Determine the extent of the disease found in the community.
3) Study the natural history and prognosis of the disease.
4) Evaluate both existing and newly developed preventive therapeutic measures and modes of health care delivery.
5) Provide the foundation for developing public policy relating to environmental problems, genetic issues and other considerations regarding disease prevention and health.
In what specific reason in which we would use epidemiological evidence to support our research?
We would use epidemiological evidence to support our research to identify specific subgroups of individuals within the population whom are at high risk of developing a disease.
How must one begin by to discern the prevention parameters of a disease?
1) Identify high risk groups
2) Identify the specific factors or characteristics that put them at high risk.
* 2 types of characteristics exist those that are Not modifiable such as age,sex, and ethnicity; and those that ARE modifiable such as lifestyle and diet.
What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention?
Primary Prevention - occurs to prevent disease in a individual whom is well and has yet to contract the disease (ultimate goal)
Secondary Prevention-Involves the identification of individuals whom have contracted the disease but have yet to show any clinical symptoms or complications of the disease.
Tertiary Prevention- denotes preventing complications in those who have already begun to show signs and symptoms relating to the illness and have been diagnosed; people who are in the clinical phase of their illness.
What 2 different approaches to prevention can be taken and what is the difference between the 2 ?
The 2 possible approaches to prevention include population based and high- risk approach; where the population approach targets the entire population and the high risk approach targets only those individuals at risk for the preventative measure.
How is the use of epidemiology used in clinical practice to help determine the actions of the physicians?
Medicine is dependent on population dependent data and concepts that is collected and used in order to determine the appropriate diagnosis, prognostication, and selection of therapy for patients.
How does an epidemiologist proceed to identify the cause of disease?
1) Determine if there is an association exists between exposure to a factor or a characteristic of a person and the development of the disease in question.
2) Derive appropriate inferences about a possible casual relationship from the patterns of the associations that have been found.
What is the most important factor when trying to implement observations into preventative actions?
When trying to present observations into preventative actions the need for presenting scientific evidence and data for a proposed intervention, and the need for implementation of the proposed intervention to be preserved as feasible; where the necessary groundwork for the policy, including the garnering of professionals well as community and political support.
