Epidemiology: Science (Study of disease) & Art (Control of disease)

Epidemiology, the study and analysis of the pattern, causes and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is the cornerstone of public health and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive health care. It includes study design collection and statistical analysis of data, amends interpretation and dissemination of results. It has helped developed methodology used in clinical research, public health. The theme for the workshop is "Epidemiology: A Nurse Perspective Science (Study of disease) and Art (Control of disease). As a science, it has proved its place and as an art, it is interpreting the findings to formulate the policies to control the disease both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The topics covered in the workshop and learning resource encompasses Introduction to Health disease to Role of Nurse Epidemiology. The competencies required for nurses are well emphasized which are assessment, communication, community dimensions. If they are well acquired a Nurse epidemiologist role has to become significant and visible. von Kuruvilla, Jaya