Theodor Sauer and Robert House
Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the Global Ophthalmologist is an easy-to-browse adaptation from the book of the same name by Alfred Sommer, MD, MHS.
Download Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the Global Ophthalmologist.
Keeping up with ophthalmic research is a daunting task. Understanding the conclusion and implications, let alone the research methods and increasingly complex statistics, can be intimidating. Fortunately, however, there are many resources that can help one assimilate and synthesize research into clinical practice. Regardless of your background in epidemiology and statistics, the sections in this guide can help you make use of these resources and understand the science behind them.
To view the entire guide, save the PDF file to your computer or portable device. Viewed electronically, the hyperlinks to references and other websites are active.
Dr. Sommer’s book is also available as a PDF file.
Target Audience
- American and international ophthalmologists in practice or training who desire a fundamental understanding of epidemiology, statistics, and interpretation of ophthalmic research literature.
Objectives
- Review key concepts in epidemiology along with their applications to international ophthalmology.
- Describe common types of statistics found in ophthalmic literature.
- Review examples of outstanding clinical research.
Sections in This Guide
1. Evidence-Based Medicine
- Highlights the basics of evidence-based medicine and what it means to practice medicine in this manner.
- Includes a grading scale to highlight different types of evidence and how they should be implemented in practice.
2. Statistical Concepts
- Touches upon basic statistical concepts and definitions that must be mastered before one can appreciate different types of statistical analysis.
- Includes a standard definition for each concept and an ophthalmology related example from peer-reviewed literature.
3. Epidemiologic Concepts
- Highlights how to analyze study results in the context of different study designs.
- Considers limitations in study design, study conduction, and statistical analysis.
4. Study Designs
- Provides information on the different options one has in designing a study.
- Provides the definition, purpose, and potential limitations of the study design for each study type. Includes examples of each study design from peer-reviewed literature focusing on ophthalmology.
5. Advanced Statistics
- Focuses on advanced concepts in statistical analysis that address different types of statistical error and statistical analysis for specific scenarios.
- Explains which type of statistical test one should use given the type of data available.
6. Advanced Topics in Epidemiology
- Covers specific issues that may arise in an epidemiological study.
- Provides insight into dealing with potential fallacies and creating various epidemiological models.
- Addresses the issue of missing data and how to handle it during statistical analysis.
7. An Introduction to Conducting Clinical Research
- Provides a basic outline of what to expect when conducting clinical research.
- Addresses the research question, study design, statistical software, data management, ethics and the Institutional Review Board, data analysis, and data presentation.
Appendices
- Appendix I: Ophthalmic Survey Methodology
- Appendix II: Case Series, Categories of Vision Loss
- Appendix III: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Resources