Clinical Epidemiology Veterinary Medicine -Mua lee

Welcome to the Introduction to clinical epidemiology Learning Site for Veterinary Science. These open-source teaching modules are designed for integration into existing veterinary school courses.

• Epidemiology studies diseases in populations, identifying high and low disease levels. By understanding differences between high and low-rate groups, factors influencing disease risk are identified. Measures can reduce these risk factors, lessening disease burden. This approach allows disease control without precise knowledge of the cause. It is distinct from clinical disease management.

• The clinical approach focuses on individual animals, diagnosing and treating diseases through physical examination and generating a list of possible diagnoses. Further examinations, lab tests, and treatment responses help narrow down the list to a final diagnosis. Research suggests that the final diagnosis typically comes from the initial list of possibilities. However, if a disease is unfamiliar or new, it may not be included in the list of potential diagnoses.

• The epidemiological approach to disease management does not rely on precise identification of the cause. It focuses on observing differences between diseased and non-diseased individuals to understand risk factors. Clinicians often use a combination of clinical and epidemiological approaches. In straightforward cases, the clinical approach dominates, but for new or complex conditions, the epidemiological approach is preferred. It provides a better understanding of disease susceptibility and helps define effective control measures.