COLLEGE OF NURSING

NUR 629: Special Topics - Epidemiological Principles Applied to Nursing and Health Care Delivery

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course reviews the basic concepts and methods of epidemiology applied to population focused health care and nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on the use of epidemiologic reasoning in deriving inferences about the etiology of health outcomes from population data and in guiding the design of health service programs.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Define epidemiology and the conceptual basis for the study of health and disease in populations.
2. Analyze factors influencing population health problems in the nation and the state and their implications for health care delivery.
3. Apply the basic concepts and methods of epidemiology in understanding and intervening in health and nursing problems of populations.
4. Evaluate the use and outcomes of epidemiologic study designs.
5. Evaluate data from epidemiologic and other studies as a basis for developing population based programs.

FACULTY:
Marcia Stanhope, RN, DSN, FAAN
Associate Dean and Professor

UK College of Nursing, Lexington, KY, 40536-0232
Office: 313 CON/HSLC
Phone: (606) 323-8071
Fax: (606) 323-1057

Bernice "Bunny" Eades, RN, MSN, ARNP
Clinical Instructor

UK College of Nursing, Lexington, KY, 40536-0232
Office: 433a CON/HSLC
Phone: (606) 323-5030
fax (606) 323-1057

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment only

TEACHING/LEARNING METHODS

Teaching/Learning Methods	Grading Scale
Lecture	A = 91 - 100 %
Discussion	B = 81 - 90 %
Class Presentation	C = 71 - 80 %
Self Study Modules	E = 70 or below
Case Study Analysis
Computer Simulations

EVALUATION:

1. Three (3) Self Assessment Examinations
   • 15% Due:
     1. February 12, 1998
     2. March 12, 1998
     3. April 2, 1998
2. Computer Instruction - Four (4) Self Tests
   • 20% Due:
     1. January 29, 1998
     2. February 19, 1998
     3. March 5, 1998
     4. March 26, 1998
3. Paper
   • 20% Due: April 16, 1998
4. Class Presentations
   • 20% Due: TBA
5. Final Exam Case Analysis
   • 25% Due: April 30, 1998

Required TEXTS:

Abramson, J. (1994). Making Sense of Data, 2nd edition, New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0-19-508969-3

Friis, R. H. ans Sellers, T. A.. (1996). Epidemiology for Public Health Practice. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 0-8342-0608-0

Oleske, D. (editor). (1995). Epidemiology and the Delivery of Health Care. Methods and Applications. New York, NY: Plenum Press. ISBN: 0-306-44968-4

***Additional readings from periodicals may be assigned throughout the semester.

ATTENDANCE: Required. See Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for attendance policies.