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Title Basic pharmacoepidemiology in a global context
Course number 2972
Programme Infektionsbiologi och global hälsa (BIGH)
Language English
Credits 3.0
Date 2021-10-18 -- 2021-10-29
Responsible KI department Institutionen för global folkhälsa
Specific entry requirements
Purpose of the course The purpose of the course is that the participants should gain basic knowledge about different study designs used in pharmacoepidemiological studies. The participants should further gain basic knowledge about how to design, conduct, analyse and interpret pharmacoepidemiological studies as well as treatment effects and adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals. The participants should also gain knowledge about determinants of drug use in countries at various income levels. The course will qualify the participants to critically review and evaluate pharmacoepidemiological studies.
Intended learning outcomes At the end of the course the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in pharmacoepidemiology and its relevance for public health and for health policy making
- Discuss common study designs and methods used in pharmacoepidemiological studies, including clinical trials
- Explain the applications of these methods for studies of effects and adverse effects of drugs and economic consequences
- Describe different types of data sources on drug exposure and explain their strengths and weaknesses
- Describe systems for the reporting of adverse effects and explain their use for pharmacoepidemiological studies
- Explain design of and methods to evaluate interventions qualitatively and quantitatively
- Independently evaluate pharmacoepidemiological studies from scientific literature
Contents of the course The course will provide an introduction to what pharmacoepidemiology is, how pharmacoepidemiological studies are conducted, how to interpret pharmacoepidemiological findings, and the relevance of pharmacoepidemiology for public health and for health policy making. The participants will be introduced to basic concepts in pharmacoepidemiology and drug statistics methodolody (the ATC/DDD system). Choice of study design and common pitfalls in pharmacoepidemiological research will be discussed. Determinants of drug use such as health systems, policies, prescriber and patient factors in various contexts (low-, middle- and high-income countries) will be explored. Methods to improve use of drugs will be presented, including the role of guidelines and various kinds of information or educational interventions directed to health care professionals, patients or the public. Ways of evaluating such interventions will be presented and discussed. Clinical trials will be discussed. The role of pharmacoepidemiological studies in pharmacovigilance (drug safety) will also be discussed.
Teaching and learning activities The course will use KI:s learning platform. Learning activities include lectures, seminars, individual work and group work.
Compulsory elements It is compulsory to attend seminars and to participate in individual work and group work. Absence will have to be compensated by extra individual assignments provided by the course organizers.
Examination Individual oral and written presentation of group work. Each student will be assessed individually.
Literature and other teaching material Mandatory reading:
1. Strom BL, Kimmel SE, Hennessy S. Pharmacoepidemiology. 5th edition, Wiley, 2012 (selected parts according to individual needs and as recommended during the course) (e-book available)

2. World Health Organization. Introduction to Drug Utilization Research. 2003. Available from: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/s4876e/s4876e.pdf

3. Current scientific articles as suggested by course leader and lecturers as appropriate.

Alternative textbook (instead of Strom et al):
Elseviers M, Wettermark B, Almarsdottir AB et al. Drug Utilization Research: Methods and Applications. 1st edition , Wiley, 2016
Number of students 8 - 25
Selection of students Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date)
More information This is a full time course 9.00-17.00 Monday-Friday both weeks. Lectures and group work will be mixed with individual reading time.
Additional course leader Co-course leader Dr Jaran Eriksen
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg
Institutionen för global folkhälsa
0852483366
Cecilia.Stalsby.Lundborg@ki.se
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