DNP 825 Topic 2 Discussions & Epidemiology Paper Part One

DNP 825 Topic 2 Discussions & Epidemiology Paper Part One

Topic 2 Discussions

DQ 1 How could you use descriptive epidemiological methods in your practice? Provide an example where you could use descriptive epidemiology to improve care. Explain your rationale.

DQ 2 Which epidemiological study design would you use to evaluate an intervention in your practice? Provide a description of the chosen population and the identified intervention. Provide support as to why you believe that the design you chose is the best option including the strengths and weaknesses of the design you have chosen.

Week 2 Epidemiology Paper Part One: Descriptive Method

Details:

The Epidemiology Paper is a practice immersion assignment designed to be completed in three sections, this is part one of the assignment. Learners are required discuss the role of descriptive epidemiology in nursing science and apply descriptive epidemiology in nursing science.

General Guidelines:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
• Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• This assignment requires that support your position by referencing at least six to eight scholarly resources. At least three of your supporting references must be from scholarly sources other than the assigned readings.
• You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Directions:

Write a 1,250–1,500 word paper discussing the role of descriptive epidemiology in nursing science. Include the following:

1. Define descriptive epidemiology and describe its relationship and role in nursing science today.
2. Provide a contemporary example of how descriptive epidemiology is applied in public health nursing.
3. Identify the epidemiology components used to analyze at-risk populations.

Portfolio Practice Hours:

Practice immersion assignments are based on your current course objectives, and are intended to be application-based learning using your real-world practice setting. These assignments earn practice immersion hours, and are indicated in the assignment by a Portfolio Practice Hours statement that reminds you, the learner, to enter a corresponding case log in Typhon. Actual clock hours are entered, but the average hours associated with each practice immersion assignment is 10.

You are required to complete your assignment using real-world application. Real-world application requires the use of evidence-based data, contemporary theories, and concepts presented in the course. The culmination of your assignment must present a viable application in a current practice setting. For more information on parameters for practice immersion hours, please refer to DNP resources in the DC Network.

To earn portfolio practice hours, enter the following after the references section of your paper:

Practice Hours Completion Statement DNP-825

I, (INSERT NAME), verify that I have completed (NUMBER OF) clock hours in association with the goals and objectives for this assignment. I have also tracked said practice hours in the Typhon Student Tracking System for verification purposes and will be sure that all approvals are in place from my faculty and practice mentor.

Epidemiology Paper Part One: Descriptive Method Rubric

SAMPLE ANSWER

Epidemiology Paper: Descriptive Method

Introduction

In this paper, we will be exploring the descriptive method of epidemiology. This is a way of collecting data that describes the characteristics of a population. It is often used to identify risk factors for diseases or other health conditions. There are many different ways to collect data using the descriptive method. In this paper, we will focus on three: surveys, interviews, and observation. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each method, as well as when they are best used. By the end, you should have a better understanding of how the descriptive method can be used in epidemiology.

What is Descriptive Epidemiology?

Descriptive epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is the foundation for public health research and practice. Descriptive epidemiology answers questions about who has a disease or condition, when they have it, where they have it, and what are their characteristics.

Quantitative methods are used to collect data in descriptive epidemiology. Data can be collected through surveys, censuses, routine health care data (including electronic health records), or other sources. The data are then analyzed to describe the distribution (frequency) of the disease or condition in the population. This includes describing the:

Prevalence: proportion of people in a population who have a given disease or condition at a specific point in time

Incidence: rate at which new cases of a given disease or condition develop in a population over time

Risk factors: characteristics associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing a given disease or condition

The Three Types of Descriptive Epidemiology

There are three types of descriptive epidemiology: cross sectional, case-control, and cohort.

Cross-sectional studies look at a population at a specific point in time. They can be used to describe the distribution of a disease or exposure in a population. Case-control studies compare people who have a disease or exposure with people who do not. Cohort studies follow a group of people over time to see if they develop a disease or exposure.

Each type of study has its own strengths and weaknesses. Cross-sectional studies are quick and easy to do, but they can’t show cause and effect. Case-control studies can show cause and effect, but they can be biased. Cohort studies are the most reliable way to show cause and effect, but they take a long time and are expensive.

Pros and Cons of Descriptive Epidemiology

Descriptive epidemiology is a valuable tool for public health surveillance and research. It can provide insights into the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events, and can generate hypotheses for further investigation. However, descriptive epidemiology has limitations that should be considered when interpreting its findings.

One limitation of descriptive epidemiology is that it cannot establish causal relationships. This is because descriptive studies simply observe patterns of disease occurrence in a population, without manipulating exposure variables or controlling for confounding factors. As such, they cannot prove that a particular exposure causes a particular outcome. Rather, they can only suggest possible causal relationships that could be explored in future studies.

Another limitation of descriptive epidemiology is that it is reliant on accurate data. This data may be difficult to obtain in certain settings, particularly in resource-poor countries where healthcare infrastructure is limited. Inaccurate data can lead to biased results, which can in turn lead to incorrect public health decisions being made based on these results.

Despite these limitations, descriptive epidemiology remains a valuable tool for public health surveillance and research. When interpreted correctly, it can provide valuable insights into the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events.

Case Study: The 2014 Ebola Outbreak in Liberia

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia was one of the deadliest outbreaks of the disease in history. The outbreak began in rural areas of the country and quickly spread to the capital city of Monrovia. Liberia had a very low number of healthcare workers and resources, which made it difficult to contain the disease. Over the course of the outbreak, more than 4,000 people died from Ebola.

The Liberian government was slow to respond to the outbreak and did not declare a state of emergency until August 2014, when the disease had already spread widely. This delayed response likely contributed to the high death toll. In addition, many people in Liberia were reluctant to seek medical help because they feared being quarantined or stigmatized.

The international community responded rapidly to the outbreak, providing financial and technical assistance to Liberia. This assistance was critical in helping to contain the disease. The WHO declared the end of the outbreak in Liberia in May 2015.

Conclusion

The descriptive method of epidemiology was found to be very useful in identifying potential risk factors for disease. This study provides a valuable resource for future studies on the topic.