Course Web site: http://www.stat.uchicago.edu/~thisted/courses/315
Purpose of the course. The course is intended to prepare medical students with the background and skills required to (1) read the medical literature critically so that results of medical studies can be applied to patient care, (2) assess scientific information such as that provided by pharmaceutical firms, (3) apply quantitative data to medical decisions, (4) understand basic principles of epidemiology and the implications of epidemiological data for patient care, and (5) develop sound judgment about data relevant to clinical care and medical research.
The purpose of this course is to make you able to be a better physician,
not to make you an epidemiologist or biostatistician.
Goals of the course. By the end of the course you should be able to use
and to recognize the appropriate application of (1) graphical methods for
data display, (2) basic methods for describing and summarizing
quantitative data, (3) basic probability, (4) methods for estimating and
comparing means and proportions, (5) linear and logistic regression, (6)
survival analysis, and (7) basic epidemiological techniques. In addition,
you should be able recognize the appropriate use of standard research
designs, randomization, and decision analysis, and you should be able to
read articles in the medical literature critically.
Course requirements. The class will meet three times each week, MWF 12:30. Class meetings are of three varieties: lecture, case study/discussion, and examination.
Lectures. A handout will generally be distributed in advance of each lecture. This handout will contain assigned reading. These readings will be most helpful if they are done before the lecture, as the lecture will be based on the readings. The handout will also contain lecture notes in outline form, additional notes, exercises and discussion questions.
Case study/discussion. The purpose of these sessions is to integrate material from preceding lectures with practical applications. The format will vary, but may include going through one or more of the assigned exercises from the preceding week, formal discussion of one or more discussion questions, or discussion of an article from the current medical literature. In the latter case, the particular article will be distributed well in advance so that you can examine the article in preparation for the class meeting.
Examinations. There will be two examinations and a required course evaluation. The format will be in-class, multiple-choice, 50-minute timed exams, with 2540 questions on each. You should bring a calculator to the exam. Each exam will cover material primarily from the preceding portion of the course immediately preceding the exam (but note that knowledge here is cumulative, so that exam 2 will require thorough understanding of the early weeks of the course).
Passing the course. An average score of at least 65% on the two exams is the requirement to pass.
Course evaluation. Most constructive suggestions for improving courses come long after the course is over, so that they don't help anybody. In my view, a good course is a successful collaboration between students and instructor. If you have suggestions or comments (positive or negative) I encourage you to convey them to me, either directly or by in writing. Anonymous suggestions are also accepted.
Additional resources. The first two of the following books have been ordered as recommended books for those who find such sources helpful. They are not required texts. The other book is one that you may find, but whose value is limited (both for board study and for reference).
Examination and Board Review
Medical Biostatistics &;Epidemiology
Diane Essex-Sorlie
Appleton &;Lange, 1995
Basic &;Clinical Biostatistics
Second Edition
Beth Dawson-Saunders and Robert G. Trapp
Appleton &;Lange, 1994
Appleton &;Lange's Review of
Epidemiology &;Biostatistics for the USMLE
Edward J Hanrahan and Gangadhar Madupu
Appleton &;Lange, 1994