Calendar 2006–07

Postgraduate Studies • Medicine 279 (II) Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Part-time) Fields of Specialization Evidence-based medicine or health care emphasizes the need to base decision- making on evidence. Evidence required for health care practices includes information related to disease etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, benefits and harms of treatment and that for health care provision. The best evidence is from organized scientific research. The discipline of epidemiology is concerned with the methodology of scientific investigations into these issues in humans, and how to collect the best evidence for decision-making. Biostatistics is concerned with understanding the data obtained from these investigations. Besides conventional epidemiological and biostatistical topics, the programme places a strong emphasis on clinical epidemiology to prepare participants to understand the practice of evidence-based health care or evidence- based medicine. Courses Offered 1. Epidemiology I 2. Biostatistics I 3. Epidemiology II 4. Biostatistics II 5. Epidemiology III 6. Biostatistics III (IV) Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (Part-time) New infectious diseases and new problems of existing infectious diseases continue to pose threats to the health of Hong Kong population and the population of the world at large. Evidences required for effective control and prevention of infectious diseases include those on disease etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, costs and benefits of treatment and public health intervention. This programme aims to provide state-of-the-art knowledge in epidemiology, microbiology, laboratory, and public health measures. Besides methodologies for outbreak investigation and surveillance, infectious process, laboratory diagnostic methods and hospital related infections, updated development on infectious diseases and epidemiology issues will also be discussed. Courses offered (A) Core Modules 1. Basic Epidemiology 2. Basic Biostatistics 3. Basic Principles and Laboratory Aspects of Infectious Diseases 4. Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases 5. Nosocomial Infection and Control Measures in Hospital (B) Elective Modules 1. Animal Diseases Affecting Humans 2. Molecular Epidemiology 3. Evidence-based Healthcare