DNP840 Applied Epidemiology in Evidence Based Practice (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): DNP808 , DNP809 , DNP820 , DNP821 , DNP822 , DNP823 , DNP824 , and DNP825 
This course provides basic epidemiologic concepts and operationalizes the evidence-based practice perspective of advanced practice nursing. The types and robustness of evidence from multiple sources are emphasized. Logic trails and triangulation are studied as related to specific healthcare delivery problems. The course includes an overview of chronic and infectious disease epidemiology using historical and current public health challenges, specifically focusing on social determinants of health. How genetics impact diseases is also studied. In addition to studying various aspects of disease in populations, the importance and types of disease prevention are included. This course provides an opportunity for students to determine their area of interest for their DNP scholarly project.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Evaluate professional practice in the context of supporting scientific evidence.
2. Apply knowledge to practice in decision-making and problem solving.
3.  Analyze strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of care. 
4.  Analyze health outcomes in a variety of populations, systems and clinical settings.
5. Distinguish between a clinical and a population approach to risk factors and disease.
6. Explain the range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence determinants of health.
7. Articulate biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health.
8. List major causes and trends in morbidity and mortality in the United States or other large population.
9. Interpret and discuss how various epidemiologic studies (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, ecologic, and intervention) are used to study statistical associations between risk factors and disease or death outcomes.
10. Differentiate between a statistical association and a causal relationship between a risk factor and a health outcome.