Disease Screening in Public Health from Coursera

Current and future public health is characterized by the increase of chronic and degenerative diseases, corresponding to the worldwide ageing of the population. The increasing prevalence of these conditions together with the long incubation period of the chronic diseases and the continual technological innovations, offer new opportunities to develop strategies for early diagnosis.

Public Health has an important mandate to critically assess the promises and the pitfalls of disease screening strategies. This MOOC will help you understand important concepts for screening programs that will be explored through a series of examples that are the most relevant to public health today. We will conclude with expert interviews that explore future topics that will be important for screening.

By the end of this MOOC, students should have the competency needed to be involved in the scientific field of screening, and understand the public health perspective in screening programs.

This MOOC has been designed by the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne.

This MOOC has been prepared under the auspices of the Ecole romande de santé publique (www.ersp.ch) by Prof. Fred Paccaud, MD, MSc, Head of the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine in Lausanne (www.iumsp.ch), in collaboration with Professor Antoine Flahault, MD, PhD, head of the Institute of Global Health, Geneva (https://www.unige.ch/medecine/isg/en/) and Prof. Gillian Bartlett-Esquilant (McGill University, Quebec/ Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne).

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Key Concepts in Screening

This module will provide a brief welcome by Dr. Fred Paccaud and Dr. Antoine Flahault. An overview of screening and an introduction on how the course is organized and evaluated will be provided by Dr. Gillian Bartlett-Esquilant. Dr. Idris Guessous, a Senior Lecturer in the Population Epidemiology Unit in the Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine (Geneva), and in the Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine (PMU Lausanne) & Division of Chronic Diseases at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (Lausanne) will provide lectures on definitions of screening. Natural history of diseases and the characteristics of subclinical conditions allowing early diagnosis will be presented. A quiz on the key concepts for screening will complete this module.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid understanding of the principles and practice of screening in public health

Taught by renowned experts in the field of public health and screening

Covers a wide range of topics relevant to public health screening, including cancer screening, cardiometabolic screening, and mental health screening

Provides practical guidance on the evaluation, planning, and implementation of screening programs

Suitable for both healthcare professionals and public health practitioners

Reviews summary

Comprehensive overview of disease screening

According to students, this course provides a solid and comprehensive foundation in disease screening within the context of public health. Learners particularly appreciate the breadth of topics covered, including screening in diverse populations and for various diseases like cancer and cardiometabolic conditions. Many find the expert instructors to be knowledgeable and the lectures clear and informative. The real-world examples and case studies are highlighted as being particularly useful for practical understanding. While generally very well-received, a few students noted that some sections might be basic for those with significant prior knowledge in epidemiology, suggesting it's best suited for beginners or those seeking a strong overview.

May be introductory for advanced learners.

"While good for beginners, those with a strong epi background might find some sections too basic."

"It's a great overview, but I was hoping for a little more depth in the quantitative aspects of screening metrics."

"Perfect if you're new to the topic; potentially less challenging if you work in the field already."

Lectures are delivered by knowledgeable experts.

"The instructors are clearly experts in their fields and explain complex topics effectively."

"Learned so much from the different professors and senior lecturers involved in the modules."

"Expert interviews at the end were a great addition to see the future of screening."

Includes useful real-world examples and case studies.

"The case studies, especially in the cardiometabolic section, helped illustrate the concepts well."

"Found the real-world examples made the material much more relatable and practical."

"The course provided practical insights into how screening programs are evaluated and implemented."

Explores a wide range of diseases and populations.

"The modules covered a great range of diseases and populations, including LMICs, which was highly relevant."

"I appreciated the detailed sections on cancer screening and cardiometabolic conditions."

"The course covered screening in pregnancy, ageing, and different countries – very comprehensive scope."

Provides a strong base in key screening concepts.

"The course gives a solid foundation in the concepts of disease screening from a public health perspective."

"I feel I now have a strong understanding of the core principles of screening after completing this."

"Really helpful course for understanding the fundamentals of public health screening programs."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Disease Screening in Public Health with these activities:

Review Statistics and Epidemiology Basics

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Bolster your understanding of foundational statistical and epidemiological concepts to better prepare for this course

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Review key statistical concepts such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation
Refresh your knowledge of epidemiological concepts such as incidence, prevalence, and odds ratios

Design a hypothetical screening program

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Helps students apply the principles of screening to a hypothetical scenario, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Cancer Screening

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Identify a target population and health condition
Develop screening criteria and methodology
Estimate the program's benefits and harms
Design a plan for implementation and evaluation

Develop a policy brief on screening recommendations

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Reinforces knowledge of screening strategies and public health policy by challenging students to develop a policy brief that advocates for evidence-based screening recommendations.

Browse courses on Public Health Policy

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Research and synthesize evidence on screening recommendations
Identify policy gaps and develop recommendations
Draft a policy brief outlining the recommendations
Disseminate the policy brief to policymakers and stakeholders

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Career center

Learners who complete Disease Screening in Public Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and distribution of diseases in populations, including through screening and surveillance programs. This course can help Epidemiologists understand the principles of disease screening and how to evaluate the effectiveness of screening programs.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work with communities to improve health outcomes, including through disease screening and prevention programs. This course can help Public Health Nurses understand the scientific principles of screening, including the benefits and limitations of different screening methods.

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Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor diseases, including screening tests. This course can help Clinical Laboratory Scientists understand the scientific principles of disease screening and how to perform and interpret screening tests.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate healthcare services, including disease screening and prevention programs. This course can help Healthcare Administrators understand the scientific principles of screening and how to manage and evaluate screening programs.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to improve health behaviors, including disease screening and prevention. This course can help Health Educators understand the scientific basis for disease screening and how to communicate it effectively to the public.

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Health Informatics Specialist

Health Informatics Specialists use data and technology to improve healthcare delivery, including disease screening and prevention programs. This course can help Health Informatics Specialists understand the data and methods used in disease screening and how to develop and implement effective screening programs.

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Case Manager

Case Managers coordinate care for patients with chronic diseases, including through disease screening and prevention programs. This course can help Case Managers understand the scientific principles of screening and how to manage and evaluate screening programs.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify patterns and trends, including data related to disease screening and prevention. This course can help Data Analysts understand the data and methods used in disease screening and how to develop and implement effective screening programs.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide healthcare services under the supervision of a physician, including screening and prevention services. This course can help Physician Assistants understand the scientific principles of disease screening and how to perform and interpret screening tests.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts are responsible for analyzing healthcare data and policy, which may include data related to disease screening and prevention. This course may be useful for understanding the data and methods used, as well as the ethical and policy considerations related to disease screening.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support to individuals and families facing challenges, including health issues. This course can help Social Workers understand the scientific principles of disease screening and how to provide support to patients and families.

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Nutritionist

Nutritionists provide nutrition counseling and education to individuals and groups, including on topics related to disease screening and prevention. This course can help Nutritionists understand the scientific principles of screening and how to communicate it effectively to the public.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers develop educational and marketing materials for healthcare professionals and patients, including materials related to disease screening and prevention. This course can help Medical Writers understand the scientific basis for disease screening and how to communicate it effectively.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk, including health risks. This course may be useful for understanding the data and methods used in disease screening and how to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening programs.

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Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Coordinators typically work for research organizations conducting disease-related studies. This course may be useful for understanding the rationale for and design of clinical trials, including patient screening and data analysis.

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