Occupational Epidemiology

In the module occupational epidemiology (OE), students will be familiarised with the basic methodological concepts as well as current topics of occupational epidemiology via an active and student-centred learning approach. Furthermore, crucial competences for an epidemiologist will be developed.

Learning objectives

Students will learn about the basic methodological concepts as well as current topics of occupational epidemiology via an active and student-centered learning approach. Participants can expect to get actively involved in the course, working in pairs and small groups. After active participation in the course, participants will be able to:

• Define OE in a global context.
• Name clinical pictures in OE.
• Critically evaluate scientific literature in OE with respect to potential limitations due to bias and confounding.
• Define a study question for an OE study using the PICO and FINER criteria.
• Describe advantages and disadvantages of the most important epidemiological study designs - mention basic concepts of exposure assessment in OE, including the use of job-exposure matrices (JEMs).
• Select suitable instruments to measure exposure and outcome.
• Reflect about suitable recruitment methods to obtain a representative sample of their study population.
• Define and explain the ‘healthy worker effect’ - advance their group working skills in scientific collaboration.

Competences

• Creativity & problem solving
• Communication & collaboration
• Intercultural skill

Requirements

• Selection strategy: There is no further selection requirements, however, students should be interested in the topic and willing to actively participate.
• Number of participants: 20.
• Certificate/ECTS: 3 ECTS and a certificate of attendance.
• Language: English.

This activity is part of Work Package 2.