The epidemiologist's dilemma: a position paper on the role of epidemiology in Canadian research.
Canadian epidemiology is currently in transition from being primarily interested in infectious disease to becoming active in investigating causes of non-infectious disease. Generally, epidemiologists limit their work to "field", "basic", or "theoretical" epidemiology. In all three fields there appears to be a shortage of qualified personnel which is likely to become even more acute because of new roles that epidemiologists will probably play in the future. A minimum of 40 full-time epidemiologists is currently required in Canada.Departments other than departments of preventive medicine at medical schools and teaching hospitals are currently spending 79.5% of all funds allocated for non-microbiological epidemiological research in Canada. Since epidemiology is by its very nature population orientated, rather than clinically orientated, clinicians require consultative advice from epidemiologists at many stages of their research. Epidemiological facilities in departments of preventive medicine should therefore be strengthened in order to provide research training and didactic courses needed as the numbers of physicians, nurses and paramedical persons are increased.
D002170:Canada; D004813:Epidemiology; D006761:Hospitals; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D012106:Research; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013038:Specialization
Can Med Assoc J. 1963 Apr 20;88:837-41
13982136
Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1962 Sep;52:1371-6
13920364
Can Med Assoc J. 1963 Sep 28;89:669-71
14077815
Can J Public Health. 1964 Nov;55:489-96
14229756
Can Med Assoc J. 1965 Apr 3;92:740-6
14278027
Arch Environ Health. 1963 Nov;7:509-23
14058818
Br Med J. 1950 Sep 30;2(4682):739-48
14772469
N Engl J Med. 1961 Mar 23;264:594-9
13774039