Module Descriptions
 Demonstration module
Orientation: WebCT Tutorial
The goal of this short tutorial is to introduce learners to the online environment (WebCT). The tutorial will help learners with the basics required to navigate through the Skills Enhancement modules and get a better understanding of what is involved in online learning. The estimated time to complete this module is 1 to 2 hours.
First-time learners who register for any of the other modules will automatically be registered for this module. Completion of the tutorial is mandatory.
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will:
- Be familiar with the WebCT environment
- Be aware of the tools and features available in WebCT
- Know what they need to get started with the training modules
- Learn how to troubleshoot and access help services
- Know how to post and respond to bulletin board messages, submit quizzes and assignments, and use other tools such as the print feature
Module schedules and registration information are available online.
Module 1: Basic Epidemiological Concepts
The goal of this module is to enhance the understanding of basic epidemiological concepts and to increase the ability to apply basic epidemiological principles in the public health work setting. The estimated time to complete this module is 25 to 30 hours.
Prerequisite: Orientation: WebCT Tutorial
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Define epidemiology and describe the historical development of the field.
- Identify the various uses of epidemiology in public health practice.
- Describe different theories of disease causation in communities.
- Illustrate how agent, host and environment variables interact to affect health in communities.
- Identify and describe the stages of the natural history of a disease and give examples of primordial, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
- Understand the meaning of public health surveillance and explain the use of surveillance data in public health practice.
- Identify the steps of the surveillance cycle.
- Explain ethical principles underlying the uses of epidemiology in public health practice.
- Apply the principles of biomedical ethics to a discussion of compulsory immunization programs.
Module breakdown
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Epidemiology
Lesson 2 - Causation, Association and the Epidemiologic Triad
Lesson 3 - The Natural History of Disease and the Levels of Prevention
Lesson 4 - Public Health Surveillance
Lesson 5 - Ethics and Epidemiology
Module schedules and registration information are available online.
Module 2: Measurement of Health Status
The goal of this module is to introduce the tools and methods to measure and monitor the health of the community. The estimated time to complete this module is 35 to 40 hours.
Prerequisite: Orientation: WebCT Tutorial and Module 1:Basic Epidemiological Concepts
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Describe, calculate and interpret crude and adjusted rates, proportions, ratios, incidence rates, and prevalence rates.
- List and explain the various indicators of health status.
- Assess the health of a population using indicators of health status.
- Identify various sources of information on the health of a population.
- Select appropriate source(s) of information as indicators of health status.
- Describe and select appropriate methods for presenting health information including tables, graphs and charts.
Module breakdown
Lesson 1 - Health Status Assessment
Lesson 2 - Sources of Health Information
Lesson 3 - Organizing and Displaying Epidemiologic Data
Module schedules and registration information are available online.
Module 3: Descriptive Epidemiologic Methods
This module is to introduce the basic principles and methods of descriptive epidemiology. The estimated time to complete this module is 25 to 30 hours.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: Orientation: WebCT Tutorial and Module 1: Basic Epidemiological Concepts and Module 2: Measurement of Health Status
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Identify the various types of descriptive and analytic epidemiologic study designs and explain their uses.
- Describe the exposure-outcome relationship with the various study designs.
- List and describe the types of descriptive studies.
- Identify and describe the basic epidemiologic variables of person, place, and time.
- Discuss the application of descriptive epidemiology to public health practice.
- Identify the reasons public health agencies investigate outbreaks and explain the steps involved.
- Define the terms cluster, outbreak and epidemic.
- Discuss some current and future challenges for descriptive epidemiology.
Module breakdown
Lesson 1 - Types of Epidemiologic Studies
Lesson 2 - Descriptive Epidemiology
Lesson 3 - Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Module schedules and registration information are available online.
Module 4: Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases
This module requires knowledge and understanding of basic epidemiology and biostatistics. It consolidates concepts and methods presented in previous modules and applies them to chronic diseases. Specific chronic diseases are included with risk factors and prevention and control measures. Students are required to submit three assignments covering the topics of diseases, risk factors and populations.
Prerequisite: Orientation: WebCT Tutorial; and Module 1: Basic Epidemiological Concepts; and Module 2: Measurement of Health Status; and Module 3:Descriptive Epidemiologic Methods
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:
- have acquired the basic knowledge relating to the descriptive, analytical and applied epidemiology of chronic, non-communicable diseases;
- be able to retrieve, organize and interpret data from provincial, national and international sources;
- be familiar with, and be able to access, the current epidemiologic literature;
- be able to utilize existing information, generate ideas and formulate them into prevention projects suitable for implementation at a local public health unit/ regional health authorities.
Module breakdown.
Lesson 1 - Basic Concepts
Lesson 2 - Selected Diseases: Stroke
Lesson 3 - Selected Diseases: Diabetes
Module 5: Outbreak Investigation and Management
The goal of this module is to introduce the basic principles and steps involved in the investigation and management of outbreaks. The estimated time to complete this module is 21-29 hours.
Prerequisite: Orientation: WebCT Tutorial and Module 1:Basic Epidemiological Concepts
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Understand the goal, objectives and steps of an outbreak investigation;
- Be able to create and apply a case definition within the context of an outbreak investigation;
- Know the key elements of a standard investigation questionnaire;
- Be able to interpret descriptive data in term of time, place and person characteristics;
- Be able to generate verifiable hypotheses on the source, mode of transmission, vehicle or vector of propagation, exposures or risk factors;
- Be able to identify appropriate control measures to halt an outbreak;
- Know the elements required for documenting an outbreak and how these may be used to prepare concise reports;
- Review the essential organizational and operational aspects of an outbreak investigation.
Module breakdown
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Outbreak Investigation
Lesson 2 – Outbreak Investigation – Steps 1 through 4
Lesson 3 – Outbreak Investigation - Steps 5 through 7
Lesson 4 – Outbreak Investigation – Steps 8 through 10
Lesson 5 – Outbreak Investigation – steps 11 through 13
Module 6: Introduction to Public Health Surveillance
The aim of the module is to (1) raise the level of awareness and knowledge of the principles and practices of contemporary public health surveillance; and (2) enhance the attitudes and skills required to participate in the various aspects of the public health surveillance cycle. The estimated time to complete this module is 25-30 hours.
Prerequisite: Orientation: Orientation: WebCT Tutorial and Module 1:Basic Epidemiological Concepts; Module 2: Measurement of Health Status; and Module 3:Descriptive Epidemiologic Methods
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Discuss the basic principles and practices of public health surveillance;
- List and discuss the major issues in public health surveillance in Canada;
- Identify and critically examine the three (3) major categories of health events for which public health surveillance systems have been established;
- Analyze and interpret common public health surveillance data;
- Describe the basic concepts of the communication and dissemination of public health surveillance information;
- Discuss emerging trends and developing activities in public health surveillance in Canada and Internationally;
- Develop a framework for the components and evaluation of a public health surveillance system in a public health environment.
Module breakdown
Lesson 1 – Review of Public Health Surveillance
Lesson 2 – Overview of Public Health Surveillance Systems
Lesson 3 – Analysis, Presentation & Interpretation of Public Health Surveillance Data
Lesson 4 – Dissemination of Information and Surveillance Products
Lesson 5 – Evaluation Issues and Future Trends in Public Health Surveillance Systems
Module schedules and registration information are available online.
Future modules
A list of future modules with brief descriptions are available.
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