Foundations of Epidemiology

by David E. Lilienfeld, Paul D. Stolley

1994

The Foundations of Epidemiology is an introductory level text intended for a broad range of courses in epidemiology, including those in medical schools, schools of public health, dental schools, schools of nursing, and other professional schools. Minimal familiarity with statistics is assumed in the book, although the text is not intended as a primary introduction to statistics; an appendix provides the necessary overview of statistics necessary to understand epidemiologic concepts, including sampling, significance testing, confidence intervals, correlation and linear regression, relative risks and attributable fractions, the life table, and Cohen's Kappa statistic. Basic epidemiologic concepts, such as rates and ratios, age adjustment, incubation periods, investigation of an outbreak time-place-and person, agent-value, inter- and intra-observer variability, odds ratios, randomized trials, and cohort and case-control study designs are illustrated using examples from a variety of conditions, including asthma, food poisoning, coronary heart disease, measles, stroke, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, venous thrombosis, histoplasmosis, lyme disease, and AIDS. The text consists of 13 chapters, each of which includes study problems and solutions. A discussion of the uses of epidemiology in clinical settings includes a guide to the critical review of medical and related literature.

Encountering Treatment Resistance

by H. Paul Putman III, M.D., DLFAPA

2024 · American Psychiatric Pub

Recent studies suggest that anywhere from 20% to as much as 60% of psychiatric diagnoses are eventually labeled as treatment resistant. No consensus exists on a definition for treatment resistance, nor are there clear criteria for what is still an unrecognized diagnosis, which suggests that incomplete assessments, inadequate treatment planning, poor compliance, and faulty therapeutic alliances may be at play. Given that second opinions identify additional treatment options in two-thirds of these cases, Encountering Treatment Resistance argues that it is time to move away from treatment resistance and toward pending remission. The author addresses opportunities for practitioners to avoid treatment resistance and failure through the following: * Discussion of the processes underlying conceptualization and how inaccurate or misleading concepts may be developed* Description of best practices for problem-solving and the consequences for relying on less-effective methods* Outline of methods to ensure that clinicians consistently conduct a thorough evaluation at each patient contact* Highlights of common but underappreciated medical causes of treatment failure and examples of impaired therapeutic alliances interfering with diagnosis, treatment selection, and compliance Numerous tables present information in an easily scanned format, and real-world case vignettes illustrate how the presented concepts, when applied to practice, lead to improved outcomes. Suggestions for additional reading and discussion topics facilitate collaboration, promote knowledge exchange, and broaden and deepen understanding. As accessible as it is thorough, the book includes summaries, key points, and self-assessment questions for each chapter that transform important concepts into applicable lessons and serve to reinforce knowledge.