Teaching health statistics: Lesson and seminar outlines

This book provides a selection of 23 lesson and seminar outlines designed to encourage the well-organized teaching of health statistics. Noting the central role of statistics in epidemiology and public health, the book responds to the growing need for all health professionals to acquire competence in the use and interpretation of statistics. With this need in mind, the book concentrates on a core of statistical knowledge judged important for all categories of health trainees, including medical students. Throughout, emphasis is placed on statistical principles and methods that can help health personnel make rational decisions, whether concerning the management of individual patients or the monitoring of health systems and services. Topics selected for inclusion represent an internationally applicable basic curriculum intended to assist teachers when preparing lessons and seminars and deciding on course content. Information ranges from examples of wrong or misleading diagrammatic presentations of data, through a handout showing the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of sampling, to an explanation of steps to follow when planning a health survey. Now in its second edition, the book has been updated and expanded to reflect extensive recent technological developments in data handling and information communication. New topics covered include the use of health indicators in monitoring and surveillance, systems for the information-based management of health services, the use of computers in health sciences, and rapid methods for interim assessment. Lesson and seminar outlines are presented in three parts. These cover statistical principles and methods, health statistics, including demography and vital statistics, and statistics in medicine, including medical records. Each outline includes a clear statement of objectives and detailed suggestions for content and structure, followed by examples, exercises, and handouts for students.