MEDICAL

Research Protocol on Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Abstract

This type of research protocol design has been formulated in order to assess the role of clinical epidemiology with regards to descriptive research designs. As the term clinical epidemiology is quite vast in concept, there are a number of things that have been addressed within this paper for providing the researcher a streamlined mechanism for selecting the most appropriate research design in the context of clinical epidemiology. The target population in the case of this research protocol design is the Australian patients as the clinical epidemiology looks to assess the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases with the clinical impact of them.

Research Protocol on Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Introduction

The epidemiology, a basic science of health, characterized by concepts that are defined by specific terms (terminology), principles, methods and topics varied over time, under the influence of demographic, cultural, social, economic, and other . However, knowledge advances and new problems arise, that is, epidemiology, and other scientific areas, facing new challenges and it must evolve (Foley, 2010, pp. 4-8).

These terms correspond to the principles and application of epidemiological methods and statistical techniques for the study of clinical problems and improving patient care. So, is "clinical" because it seeks to answer clinical questions and help make clinical decisions with the best available evidence (Fletcher, Fletcher, & Fletcher, 2012).

It's epidemiological, because many of the methods used to answer these questions were developed by epidemiologists and because care administered to individual patients are seen in the context of a larger group of the population to which the patient belongs (Seckeler, & Hoke, 2011, pp. 67).

Discussion

The main objectives of clinical epidemiology are: definitions of normality and abnormality (the individual is sick or not? Which the value of a measurement related to health that are associated with disease or from which treatment is justified?); Validity of tests diagnostic (which the accuracy and validity of diagnostic tests applied?); natural history and prognosis of diseases (which the consequences of the disease untreated versus the clinical course of the disease under treatment?); effectiveness of treatment (which effect treatment on the clinical course of the disease?); prevention in clinical practice (which interventions are associated with decreased incidence of disease?, early diagnosis and treatment improves disease progression? (Haynes, 2012).

However, the main areas of interest are also part of clinical epidemiology etiology, although it is one of the primary objectives of epidemiology (which factors are the cause of the disease?), Analysis of risks and benefits of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (cost analysis -effectiveness, decision analysis) and evaluation of healthcare services. Indeed, research of health care can be very useful for the care (management, recommendations, best practices, etc.

Role of Biostatistics

The growing recognition of the importance of probabilistic inference in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of individual patients justifies the increased interest in approaches to epidemiological research as a means of enhancing clinical medicine. However, as a basic principle in most clinical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment outcomes are uncertain for ...