EBPS 1: Intro to EBPS

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

the study of the distribution and determinants of
disease frequency in human populations

Question 2

Health

Answer 2

a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Question 3

Biostatistics

Answer 3

the application of statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret biological and medical data, aiding in study planning and knowledge generation.

Question 4

Evidence-based medicine (EBM)

Answer 4

medical practice or care that emphasizes the practical
application of the findings of the best available current research

Question 5

Clinical research

Answer 5

focuses on studying individuals who are unwell, often in clinical settings, and emphasizes therapeutic interventions

Question 6

Why are epidemiology and biostatistics important to physicians?

Answer 6

they provide the tools and knowledge needed to interpret new research, make informed decisions, and practice Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) effectively.

Question 7

What is the best approach to learning the methods of epidemiology and biostatistics?

Answer 7

The Big Six method
1. Description
2. Causation
3. Attribution
4. Mediation
5. Interaction
6. Prediction

Question 8

Description

Answer 8

addresses how frequent or common are various risk factors, exposure, conditions, or diseases

Question 9

Causation-related research (inference)

Answer 9

the process of inferring causation, addresses establishing causal relationships among biological,
behavioral, environmental and other factors within humans.

Question 10

Attribution

Answer 10

addresses what fraction or how many cases of disease Y can be eliminated if a causal exposure X is eliminated or reduced

Question 11

Mediation

Answer 11

• addresses the mechanisms of causal relationships.
• given that X does cause Y, how does X cause Y? What is the mechanism?

Question 12

Interaction

Answer 12

• addresses when and for whom does X cause/predict Y
• like attribution and mediation, interaction is also closely related to causation

Question 13

Prediction

Answer 13

addresses as to whether some feature A or a combination of features A, B, and C predict the concurrent presence or future occurrence of Y

Question 14

Why worry about causes of diseases?

Answer 14

• So that we could determine causes of diseases
• So that we can intervene
• So that we can reduce or prevent disease

Question 15

How could we determine causes of diseases?

Answer 15

Conduct population studies using epidemiological methods

Question 16

Why should pharmacists care about Epidemiology?

Answer 16

• to practice evidenced based medicine
• to provide the best care for patients, we need to keep current with the evidence base

Question 17

The Evidence Base can be

Answer 17

1. Frail
2. Dynamic

Question 18

Frail

Answer 18

refers to the fact that medical knowledge can be incomplete, inconsistent, or subject to change as new research emerges.

Question 19

Dynamic

Answer 19

it signifies that the field of medicine is always progressing, with new findings, treatments, and guidelines continually emerging.

Question 20

Steps in Practicing EBM

Answer 20

1. identify a good question
2. find relevant literature
3. critically evaluate data
4. synthesize and apply to patients
5. recognize gaps and design solutions