Analytic Epidemiology Designs: Experimental
In the fall of 2011, the FDA announced a shortage of important chemotherapy drugs; this shortage,
in turn, disrupted clinical trials and led to potential challenges in assessing data from those
studies. Experimental research, which includes clinical trials, plays a pivotal role in the
advancement of disease prevention and treatment. Once a risk factor has been established, the
next step is testing an intervention through experimental research methods. Does this drug actually
prevent or ameliorate symptoms?
In Week 3, you examined observational study designs, an important form of analytic epidemiology.
1. This week, the focus turns to experimental studies. As you explore this topic, think about why
experimental research is considered the ?gold standard? of epidemiology. and consider which
research design will best address your selected population health problem.
References:
Allen, J. (2011, September 23). U.S. drug shortage could threaten U.S. health system. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/drug-shortages/story?id=14593880
Ledford, H. (2011, October 3). Drug shortage slows clinical trials. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/news/2011/111003/full/news.2011.570.html
Objectives
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
Analyze a randomized controlled trial research study
Analyze ethical issues with a randomized control trial study
Evaluate epidemiologic study designs to answer a population health study question
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of health data sources to answer a population health study question
Determine primary data collection methods for a specific population health problem
I WANT WRITER “WASHBERNE” TO WRITE THE PAPER.
MY SELECTED POPULATION HEALTH PROBLEM IS HIV/AIDS