Education in epidemiology: "The Times They Are a-Changin'".
"The Changing Face of Epidemiology" is a series of symposia sponsored by Epidemiology for the purpose of addressing topical issues that cut across specialty areas. We comment here on 3 papers presented last summer at a symposium ("Education in Epidemiology: Changing needs for changing times") at the 2007 meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. These papers address current challenges in training epidemiologists, including the rise of molecular epidemiology, the ongoing need to redefine core epidemiologic methods and develop optimum approaches, and the increasing difficulty of assuring competency in primary data collection. We offer suggestions for educational programs and professional organizations on approaching these ongoing challenges.
Samet
Jonathan M
JM
Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21505, USA. jsamet@jhsph.edu
Savitz
David A
DA
D003479:Curriculum; D040381:Education, Public Health Professional; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology / Q000193:education; D011361:Professional Competence; D012955:Societies, Medical; D040443:Students, Public Health; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*