Epidemiology and Biostatistics: An Introduction to Clinical Research

by Bryan Kestenbaum

Overview

This is a concise introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics written specifically for medical students and first-time learners of clinical research methods.  It presents the core concepts of epidemiology and of biostatistics and illustrates them with extensive examples from the clinical literature.  It is the only book on the market written to speak directly to medical students and first-time biomedical researchers by using language and examples that are easy to understand. 

This newly updated second edition is extensively rewritten to provide the clearest explanations and examples. There is also a sister-text, a 150-problem workbook of practice problems that can be purchased alongside this textbook.  The author continues to provide a text that is attractively fast-paced and concise for use in condensed courses, such as those taught in medical school. 

The book is an excellent review for the epidemiology section of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Part I which all medical students must take at the end of the second year.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319966441
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	10/12/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Dr. Kestenbaum is Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.  He has advanced training in epidemiology and extensive experience in conducting clinical research.  A long-time teacher of the required medical school course in epidemiology and biostatistics, he began writing the First Edition out of frustration with the appropriateness for medical students of the available books which are aimed more at graduate students taking a one- or two-semester course.

Table of Contents

Part I. Epidemiology.- 1. Measures of Disease Frequency.- 2. General Considerations in Clinical Research Design.- 3. Case Reports and Case Series.- 4. Cross-Sectional Studies.- 5. Cohort Studies.- 6. Case-Control Studies.- 7. Randomized Trials.- 8. Misclassification.- 9. Introduction to Confounding.- 10. Methods to Control for Confounding.- 11. Effect Modification.- 12. Screening.- 13. Diagnostic Testing.- 14. Genetic epidemiology.- Part 2. Biostatistics.- 15. Summary Measures in Statistics.- 16. Introduction to Statistical Inference.- 17. Hypothesis Testing.- 18. Interpreting Hypothesis Tests.- 19. Linear Regression.- 20. Non-Linear Regression.- 21. Survival Analysis.- 22. Interpreting Data in Journal Articles.- References.- Author Index.- Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Victoria L Crabb, MS, BSN (University of Iowa College of Public Health)
Description: This book on epidemiology and biostatistics expands upon the 2009 edition with information on causal inference as well as a further discussion of general considerations for study design.
Purpose: It is intended as an overview of relevant concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics as they apply to the field of clinical research.
Audience: Although this material was originally developed for medical education purposes, clinicians will find the information useful for critical appraisal of the medical literature and board reviews. The author, a nephrologist, epidemiologist, and medical educator, has an extensive background in clinical research.
Features: The first part presents overviews of the main epidemiological concepts of confounding, misclassification, bias, and effect modification. The book pays particular attention to study design with concise, clear discussions of biases, analytical approaches, and considerations specific to each particular design. The second part is dedicated to a review of biostatistical concepts and methods most likely to be encountered in clinical research including hypothesis testing, power calculations, regression, and survival analysis. A mix of text, formulas, worked examples, and graphics convey important epidemiological and biostatical concepts that serve as the foundation for clinical research. In addition to providing information about core concepts, the book includes a glossary of terms, worked formulas for calculating disease frequency and effect measures, and visual representations of several concepts.
Assessment: The organization of the book is especially appealing as it makes it easy to find the desired information. Concepts are presented in a logical sequence. The effective use of graphics and clinical examples facilitates an understanding of many complex concepts. This second edition provides a greater clarity of concepts without being overly superficial. The author has published a separate workbook to accompany this book to provide interested readers with additional practice. Although not intended to be a definitive textbook of epidemiology or biostatistics, students of clinical research will find the information quite useful and the book a worthwhile addition to their bookshelf.

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