Charting a future for epidemiologic training

Abstract

Purpose To identify macro level trends that are changing the needs of epidemiologic research and practice and to develop and disseminate a set of competencies and recommendations for epidemiologic training that will be responsive to these changing needs. Methods There were three stages to the project: 1) assembly of a working group of senior epidemiologists from multiple sectors, 2) Identifying relevant literature, and 3) conducting key informant interviews with 15 experienced epidemiologists. Results Twelve macro trends were identified along with associated actions for the field and educational competencies. The macro trends include: 1) “Big Data”/ informatics, 2) the changing health communication environment, 3) the Affordable Care Act/health care system reform, 4) shifting demographics, 5) globalization, 6) emerging high throughput technologies (“omics”), 7) a greater focus on accountability, 8) privacy changes, 9) a greater focus on “upstream” causes of disease, 10) the emergence of translational sciences, 11) the growing centrality of team and trans-disciplinary science, and 12) the evolving funding environment. Conclusion Addressing these issues through curricular change is needed to allow the field of epidemiology to more fully reach and sustain its full potential to benefit population health and remain a scientific discipline that makes critical contributions to ensuring clinical, social, and population health.

Reflections on the Future of Epidemiology: How Students Can Inform Our Vision

“…They also point to what the foundational knowledge and activities in epidemiology might look like down the road. Some of these topics are consistent with a recent report on future training provided by a group of senior epidemiologists [4]. This is reassuring that there is some convergence between student views and that of leaders in the field.…”

“…These discussions continue to play out at national meetings and in print and represent a healthy and expected debate in any discipline, especially one with both core principles and a history of integrating methods and approaches from other disciplines. Intertwined with these discussions has been consideration of the future of epidemiology and how student training should be crafted [4-5]…”

The Future of Cardiovascular Epidemiology

“…63 The required new skill sets and the impending big data changes suggest that training programs for the cardiovascular epidemiology work force for this millennium will need to be redesigned dramatically emphasizing skill sets that are multidimensional and iteratively acquired over the course of one’s career (Table). 46, 62, 64–66 …”

Applied epidemiology and public health: are we training the future generations appropriately?

“… a The first two columns are adapted from Brownson et al (12) b Sources : CDC/CSTE Competencies for Applied Epidemiologists in Governmental Public Health Agencies (CDC/CSTE) (13); Doctor of Public Health Core Competency Model (DrPH) (14); Council on Linkages between Academia and Public Health Practice, Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (CL) (15); American College of Epidemiology, Workshop on Doctoral Education in Epidemiology (ACE) (16); Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (MPH) (17); …”

“…Macro trends reach nationally and globally, involving changing demographics, economic factors, technology changes, and legal, political, or social conditions. In work sponsored by the American College of Epidemiology, a team of senior epidemiologists recently identified the following 12 macro trends that are affecting the practice of epidemiology (12): 1) greater focus on upstream causes of disease; 2) shifting demographics; 3) the Affordable Care Act or health care system reform; 4) globalization; 5) changing health communication environment; 6) growing centrality of team and transdisciplinary science; 7) emergence of translational sciences; 8) greater focus on accountability; 9) big data or informatics; 10) emerging high-throughput technologies (“omics”); 11) privacy changes; and 12) evolving funding environment (Table 1) (13–17). …”