The important work of epidemiologists – who investigate the cause, distribution and control of diseases that affect populations – was pulled into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting a need for more experts within this specialised area.
Flinders University has reacted by offering a New Master of Clinical Epidemiology qualification – a one-year course for postgraduate students, designed in consultation with health industry partners, to provide the specialised knowledge and skills required for successful clinical research.
Flinders University Head of Discipline of Biostatistics, Associate Professor Murthy Mittinity, says the new clinical epidemiology course provides an important building block for public health students to integrate research evidence with clinical expertise, and to build their abilities as researchers.
“The new course fills a gap that will strengthen epidemiology knowledge, and this will empower the next generation to continue performing innovative research that can be applied in clinical settings and make a positive difference,” says Associate Professor Mittinity.
In addition to standard topics on Biostatistics, Health Economics and Machine Learning, the course covers two new topics that focus on the creation and analysis of effective research – An Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology, and An Introduction to Clinical Trials.
These subjects will teach medical graduates how to conduct and design clinical trials, frame appropriate research questions, and interpret evidence that can improve clinical outcomes for patients.
“The course will also conduct workshops that provide students with access to real-world data, so they can examine current health issues accurately, but also learn how to best apply solutions so that positive health outcomes will occur.”
New jobs are also emerging in public health for Clinical Informatics, requiring research analysts to best understand health data and apply it with deft skill. This makes the new Master of Clinical Epidemiology qualification especially valuable for providing an important stepping stone in future public health specialisations.