Why should clinicians understand epidemiology?
- Dr S Wild, Public Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, Scotland, UK; Sarah.wild{at}ed.ac.uk
- Received 12 March 2008
- Accepted 13 January 2009
Abstract
This article summarises the importance of epidemiology to clinicians and aims to show how an understanding of epidemiological concepts can make an important contribution to optimum clinical practice in its broadest sense. Epidemiological principles can be applied to clinical practice in interpreting the results of diagnostic tests, assessing and communicating risk and prognosis, and in identifying appropriate treatment for individual patients. They are also of value to clinicians involved in planning, monitoring and improving services, teaching medical students and postgraduates, critically appraising medical literature, and undertaking or supervising research.
Footnotes
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Funding: DMcA receives financial support from a Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland fellowship.
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Competing interests: None.
