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(VET656.4) Surveillance and Screening

Study the role of surveillance and screening in epidemiology and how they can improve public health system performance.

Shot of a doctor showing a senior patient some information on a digital tablet in her office
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    10 hours

To investigate a health outcome, epidemiologists need to quantify the burden of disease. Surveillance and screening is critical to understanding what is happening where.

Learn key steps for carrying out surveillance and the attributes of effective surveillance systems.

Evaluate national and international public health data sources and surveillance systems.

Search for and calculate available disease screening tests in case studies.

Explore the role of Epidemiology in the Western Australian health context.

What topics will you cover?

  • Analysis of surveillance systems
  • Criteria for the implementation of screening
  • Evaluation of screening programmes
  • Calculation and interpretation of diagnostic tests using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at people who are looking to grow their knowledge and skills in public health, policy development and epidemiology.

Who will you learn with?

I am a veterinary epidemiologist, with a goal to provide food for a growing population whilst living within our planetary boundaries. My work is in the human-animal-planetary health nexus.

Who developed the course?

Murdoch University

Murdoch University is a public university in Perth, Western Australia.

  • Established

    1973
  • Location

    Perth, Western Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 410Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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