Population Health Risk Assessment and Management

Population Health Risk Assessment and Management

General Information
Population health risk assessment is the comprehensive assessment of health risks in the general population based on environmental,
genetic, economic, social and behavioural determinants of health. This leads to evidence-based population health risk policy analysis, and
ultimately, cost effective population health risk management decisions.
The Graduate Diploma in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management is specially designed for those individuals employed
and/or interested in population health analysis and risk assessment. The diploma aims to provide the professional skills and knowledge
needed to pursue careers in both the public and the private sectors. The diploma is offered both full- and part-time.
Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management may request admission to
the MSc in Epidemiology. Admission to the MSc is competitive and the number of candidates admitted is limited. If admission is granted,
some credits from the Graduate Diploma may be retained in the MSc. This evaluation is made on a case-by-case basis by the MSc
Epidemiology Program Committee.
The diploma operates within the framework of the general regulations of the FGPS, which are available on the website at the following
link:
www.etudesup.uottawa.ca/generalregulations

Admission
Admission is competitive. Candidates must normally hold a bachelor's degree with honours in science, health sciences and/or social
sciences with an average of 75% (B+) or above, calculated in accordance with FGPS guidelines. Candidates holding credentials that may
not exactly match these standards but who meet the FGPS minimum admission requirements may be admitted based on having
demonstrated knowledge and skills obtained through relevant training and/or experience. Proficiency in English is required. Ideally,
applicants would have successfully completed EPI 5240 and EPI 5242 prior to their admission. Students who have not completed courses
in biostatistics and epidemiology will be required to attend a non-credit one-week each intensive courses at the end of August. These
courses are offered by the University of Ottawa.
A maximum of three credits in equivalencies or advanced standing may be granted. To be eligible, the credits in question must not have
counted towards the requirements of a previous diploma or degree. Candidates who have already successfully completed some of the
compulsory credits may be allowed to replace those credits with elective credits. For details, consult section B.2.7. of the general
regulations of the FGPS.

TransferfromGraduateDiplomatoMasters
Students registered in the graduate diploma program can request to transfer to the Master of Science degree in Epidemiology in
accordance with section A.7.1 of the general regulations of the FGPS.

Language Requirements
The core courses are offered in English. In accordance with University of Ottawa regulations, however, all students have the option of
writing exams and assignments in either English or French.

Program Requirements
Graduate Diploma Requirements (15 credits)
The graduate diploma requirements consist of 15 credits, with 9 credits of core courses and 6 credits of electives.
Core Courses (9 credits):
PHR5181 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT I (3cr.)
PHR6182
HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT II (3cr.)
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2015-03-24
PHR6101 RISK MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (3cr.)
Optional Courses (6 credits) to be chosen from the following:
EPI5188 HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (3cr.)

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The core courses are offered in English. In accordance with University of Ottawa regulations, however, all students have the option of
writing exams and assignments in either English or French.

Program Requirements
Graduate Diploma Requirements (15 credits)
Population Health Risk Assessment and Management

The graduate diploma requirements consist of 15 credits, with 9 credits of core courses and 6 credits of electives.
Core Courses (9 credits):
PHR5181 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT I (3cr.)
PHR6182 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT II (3cr.)
PHR6101 RISK MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (3cr.)
Optional Courses (6 credits) to be chosen from the following:
EPI5188 HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (3cr.)
EPI5189 HEALTH ECONOMIC EVALUATION (3cr.)
EPI5213 CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
EPI5241 EPIDEMIOLOGY II - ADVANCED EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
EPI5251 MEASUREMENT IN HEALTH (3cr.)
EPI6181 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
EPI6188 SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS AND META-ANALYSIS (3cr.)
EPI6276 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
EPI6278 ADVANCED CLINICAL TRIALS (3cr.)
EPI6283 PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
EPI6181 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
EPI7181 EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR HEALTH POLICY (3cr.)
MHA6212 GOVERNANCE AND ETHICAL MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS (1.5cr.)
MHA6301 POPULATION HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
MHA6351 HEALTH ECONOMICS (3cr.)
MHA6370 INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH INFORMATICS (3cr.)
PHR6900TUDESDIRIGESENVALUATIONDURISQUEENSANTDESPOPULATIONS/DIRECTEDSTUDIESIN
POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT (3cr.)
PHR6910STAGEENVALUATIONETGESTIONDURISQUEENSANTDESPOPULATIONS/PRACTICUMINPOPULATION
HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT (3cr.)
PSY6905 PSYCHOLOGIE COMMUNAUTAIRE / COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY (3cr.)
PSY6923 RECHERCHE SUR LE STRESS PSYCHOSOCIAL / PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS RESEARCH (3cr.)
PSY6982LAPSYCHOLOGIEETLASANT/PSYCHOLOGYANDHEALTH(3cr.)
PSY7102 FIELD RESEARCH IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS (3cr.)
PSY7103 PROGRAM EVALUATION (3cr.)

Duration of the Program

The diploma requirements must be completed within a maximum of three years.

Minimum Standards
The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail six credits or the same course twice must withdraw from the program.
Specific requirements

Courses
Core Courses
PHR5181 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT I (3cr.)
National and international policy frameworks for health risk assessment and management, including determinants of population health;
epidemiological, clinical, and toxicological methods for identifying health hazards; population health surveillance; methods of population
health risk assessment; regulatory, economic, advisory, and technological approaches to population health risk management; community
action and social marketing; selection of risk management strategies; risk perception and risk communication. Lectures and case studies.
Preparation of term paper on a current issue in population health risk assessment. Exclusion: EPI 5181.
PHR6182 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT II (3cr.)
Scientific methods for population health risk assessment; characterization of population health risks, and attendant uncertainties; risk
modeling; combining risk information from different sources; risk acceptability; principles of risk management decision making;
evidence-based risk management policy development; audit and evaluation of risk interventions; priority setting; case studies on current
population health risk assessment issues. Term paper on a current methodological issue in population health risk assessment required.
Prerequisite: PHR 5181. Exclusion EPI 6182.
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PHR6101 RISK MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (3cr.)

Study of risk management frameworks, guidelines and principles for decision makers; review of ethical grounding and risk evaluation
techniques and follow-up. Written report to be submitted by the student on a current risk management project. Prerequisite: Permission
of instructor.

Optional Courses

Core Courses
PHR5181 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT I (3cr.)
National and international policy frameworks for health risk assessment and management, including determinants of population health;
epidemiological, clinical, and toxicological methods for identifying health hazards; population health surveillance; methods of population
health risk assessment; regulatory, economic, advisory, and technological approaches to population health risk management; community
action and social marketing; selection of risk management strategies; risk perception and risk communication. Lectures and case studies.
Preparation of term paper on a current issue in population health risk assessment. Exclusion: EPI 5181.
Population Health Risk Assessment and Management

PHR6182 POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT II (3cr.)

Scientific methods for population health risk assessment; characterization of population health risks, and attendant uncertainties; risk
modeling; combining risk information from different sources; risk acceptability; principles of risk management decision making;
evidence-based risk management policy development; audit and evaluation of risk interventions; priority setting; case studies on current
population health risk assessment issues. Term paper on a current methodological issue in population health risk assessment required.
Prerequisite: PHR 5181. Exclusion EPI 6182.
PHR6101 RISK MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (3cr.)
Study of risk management frameworks, guidelines and principles for decision makers; review of ethical grounding and risk evaluation
techniques and follow-up. Written report to be submitted by the student on a current risk management project. Prerequisite: Permission
of instructor.

Optional Courses
EPI5188 HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (3cr.)
Definition and scope of health technology assessment; needs assessment; practice variations; use of administrative databases; evaluation
of diagnostic tests; development and use of practice guidelines and clinical prediction rules; health technology assessment in the
developing world. Lectures, seminars and case studies. Prerequisite: Permission of the program director.
EPI5189 HEALTH ECONOMIC EVALUATION (3cr.)
Brief overview of economics and health economics; examination of analyses used in epidemiologic and clinical research: cost-effectiveness
analysis, cost-minimization analysis, cost-utility analysis (including determination of utilities), cost-benefit analysis, cost of illness studies
and use of economic methods in priority-setting. Lectures and seminars. Written report required, presenting an economic evaluation or a
detailed review of the economic literature in a particular area. Prerequisite: Permission of the program director.
EPI5213 CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
Review of the descriptive epidemiology (distribution, trends, risk factors) of the major chronic diseases, with emphasis on circulatory
diseases, cancer, injuries, and mental health problems. Approaches to primary and secondary prevention. Lectures, presentations by
invited experts, and student presentations. Prerequisite: Permission of the program director.
EPI5241 EPIDEMIOLOGY II - ADVANCED EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
This second level epidemiology course covers major principles of design, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiologic research. Material
presented in a quantitative manner. Prerequisites: EPI 5240 (Epidemiology I) and EPI 6276 (Quantitative Methods in Epidemiology);
EPI 6276 may be taken concurrently with the permission of the program director. Prerequisites: EPI5240 (Epidemiology I) and EPI 6276
(Quantitative Methods in Epidemiology).
EPI5251 MEASUREMENT IN HEALTH (3cr.)
An overview of measurement theory as applied to health measurement; a review of existing measurements of health status in clinical and
research applications, plus practical experience of how to develop and test new measurement methods.
Prerequisite: Permission of the
program director.
EPI6181 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
This course will analyze the way in which behavioural, social and emotional forces influence patterns of disease. The links between these
processes and physiological changes; inferences on how best to intervene to modify "lifestyle" risk factors; recent prevention and health
promotion trials will be reviewed. May also be offered in French: EPI 6581. Prerequisite: Permission of the program director.
EPI6188 SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS AND META-ANALYSIS (3cr.)
Approaches to the systematic review of evidence in the health sciences. Searching for the evidence, selection of studies, quality and validity
of included studies, heterogeneity, statistical analysis and other quantitative and qualitative methods. Students will be required to do a
meta-analysis on a topic of their own interest. Prerequisites: EPI 5240 and EPI 5242 and permission of the program director.
Prerequisites: EPI5240 and EPI5242 and permission of instructor.
EPI6276 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
Application of advanced topics in statistical methods for epidemiologic data analysis: logistic regression and discriminant analysis, Poisson
regression, contingency table analysis (including log-linear modelling), time series, survival analysis, Cox regression with and without
time-dependent covariates, principle components and factor analysis. Prerequisites: EPI 5240 and EPI 5242 and permission of the
program director. Prerequisites: EPI5242 or equivalent, and EPI 5241 (may be done concurrently), or permission of the professor.
EPI6278 ADVANCED CLINICAL TRIALS (3cr.)
Lectures and laboratories on the detailed principles, design, methodology and statistical techniques associated with clinical trials. Emphasis
on emerging topics and procedures. Prerequisites: EPI 5242 and EPI 6178 and permission of the program director. Prerequisites: EPI5242
and EPI6178 and permission of instructor.
EPI6283 PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
Issues in and methodology of pharmacoepidemiology. Discussion on the biases and confounders possible at every stage of a
pharmacoepidemiological study, in drug utilization review, drug effectiveness, risk/benefit assessment and other topics. This course will
normally be given every second year. Prerequisites: EPI 5240 or equivalent and permission of the program director.
Prerequisite:
EPI5240 or equivalent and permission of instructor.
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EPI7181 EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR HEALTH POLICY (3cr.)

Exploration of key issues relating to health policy within and outside Canada. Topics covered: rationale for public provision and funding of
health care in Canada; historical and current perspectives regarding structure and process of Canadian health care system; specific micro
and macro policy issues relating to health and health care provision (Canadian and international). Seminar based. Student presentations

EPI6276 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)

Application of advanced topics in statistical methods for epidemiologic data analysis: logistic regression and discriminant analysis, Poisson
regression, contingency table analysis (including log-linear modelling), time series, survival analysis, Cox regression with and without
time-dependent covariates, principle components and factor analysis. Prerequisites: EPI 5240 and EPI 5242 and permission of the
program director. Prerequisites: EPI5242 or equivalent, and EPI 5241 (may be done concurrently), or permission of the professor.
EPI6278 ADVANCED CLINICAL TRIALS (3cr.)
Lectures and laboratories on the detailed principles, design, methodology and statistical techniques associated with clinical trials. Emphasis
on emerging topics and procedures. Prerequisites: EPI 5242 and EPI 6178 and permission of the program director. Prerequisites: EPI5242
and
EPI6178
andRisk
permission
Population
Health
Assessment of
andinstructor.
Management
EPI6283 PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
Issues in and methodology of pharmacoepidemiology. Discussion on the biases and confounders possible at every stage of a
pharmacoepidemiological study, in drug utilization review, drug effectiveness, risk/benefit assessment and other topics. This course will
normally be given every second year. Prerequisites: EPI 5240 or equivalent and permission of the program director.
Prerequisite:
EPI5240 or equivalent and permission of instructor.
EPI7181 EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR HEALTH POLICY (3cr.)
Exploration of key issues relating to health policy within and outside Canada. Topics covered: rationale for public provision and funding of
health care in Canada; historical and current perspectives regarding structure and process of Canadian health care system; specific micro
and macro policy issues relating to health and health care provision (Canadian and international). Seminar based. Student presentations
and written reports required. Prerequisites: EPI5240 and EPI5242 and permission of instructor.
MHA6212 GOVERNANCE AND ETHICAL MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS (1.5cr.)
Governance models for health care organizations. Definition, resolution and handling of ethical problems of administrators, professionals
and researchers in health organizations. Reconciliation of conflicting interests of the stakeholders according to ethical principles.
MHA6301 POPULATION HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGY (3cr.)
Provides a survey of epidemiology; viewed through a "population health" lens. Course will provide a survey of: measures of health status
(including measures of mortality and morbidity); and measures of association. The basic epidemiological designs (observational, casecontrol, cohort, time series, and randomized control studies) will be reviewed.
The factors affecting the precision and validity of these
studies (e.g. statistical power, confounding, effect modification, and causality criterion) will be reviewed. Emphasis will be placed on
equipping students with an ability to critically evaluate clinical, epidemiological, and health administration evidence in support of
decisions. Guidance will also be provided to help select appropriate outcome indicators and critically evaluate interventions/programs.
Students will get hands on experience computing effect measures (e.g. odds, ratios) from study results, as
well as with assessing the
precision and validity of results. Prerequisite: MBA 5300
MHA6351 HEALTH ECONOMICS (3cr.)
The course provides a macro-economic perspective on the demand and supply of healthcare, highlighting the market failures that are
archetypical within the health domain.
It contrasts Welfarist and Extra-Welfarist perspectives on resource allocation (contrasting
technical versus allocative efficiency). The course will also review cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, and cost-utility approaches of evaluating
health interventions; and in so doing the course will provide students an opportunity for hands-on computation (workshops). The course
will also consider the issue of equity and methods for incorporating equity into health economic evaluations.
MHA6370 INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH INFORMATICS (3cr.)
Overview of current developments, issues and challenges in the emerging field of health informatics. Historical development as well as
basic foundations of health informatics including theoretical, methodological and ethical/legal underpinnings will be studied. Critical
examination of information management principles and methods in Canadian health care organizations both public and private.
Emerging applications in health informatics as well as approaches to understanding and evaluating these applications. Identification of
theissuesthatCIOsfaceintheirattemptstoprovidetherightinformationtotherightpeople,attherighttime.
PHR6900TUDESDIRIGESENVALUATIONDURISQUEENSANTDESPOPULATIONS/DIRECTEDSTUDIES
IN POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT (3cr.)
Rechercheetrdactionduntravailsurunsujetlilvaluationdurisqueensantdespopulations,telquelerisqueayanttrait
lenvironnement,auxfacteurssociaux,lagntiqueetausystmedesoinsdesant,letoutsousladirectiondunprofesseurmembrede
lafacult.Lesujetdoittreapprouvparledirecteurdeprogramme.Not:S/NS. Pralable:Permissiondudirecteurdeprogramme.
Exclusion : PHR 6910. / Opportunity to conduct research and write a paper on a current topic in population health risk assessment,
including risk issues related to the environment, social factors, genetics or the health system, under the direction of a faculty member.
Topic must be approved by the Program Director. Graded S/NS. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Exclusion: PHR
6910.
PHR6910STAGEENVALUATIONETGESTIONDURISQUEENSANTDESPOPULATIONS/PRACTICUMIN
POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT (3cr.)
Stage(10heures/semaine)dansunmilieudepolitiquesdelasantauseind'uneorganisationd'accueil,approuveparunmembredu
Conseilconsultatifdudiplme.Expriencedansledomainedespolitiquesetdelagestiondel'valuationdurisque.L'tudiantdoit
soumettreunrapportsurl'applicationdel'valuationdesrisques.NotS/NSparunmembredelafacultenconsultationavecle
superviseurdestage.Pralables:PHR5181etpermissionducoordonnateurdustage./Placement(10hours/week)inahealthpolicy
setting in a host organization approved by a faculty member of the Diploma Advisory Board. Hands-on experience in the risk policy and
evaluation field. Written report to be submitted by the student on the application of risk assessment. Graded S/NS by a faculty member in
consultation with the placement supervisor. Prerequisites: PHR 5181, and permission of practicum coordinator. Pralables/Prerequisites:
EPI5181 et permission du coordonnateur du stage / EPI 5181, and permission of practicum coordinator.
PSY6905 PSYCHOLOGIE COMMUNAUTAIRE / COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY (3cr.)
tudeducontextesociohistoriquedelapsychologiecommunautaire.Valeurs,paradigmesetobjectifs.Santmentalecommunautaire,
prventionprimaire,etstratgiesdintervention./Sociohistoricalcontextofcommunitypsychology.Values,paradigms,andobjectives.
Community mental health, primary prevention and intervention strategies.
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PSY6923 RECHERCHE SUR LE STRESS PSYCHOSOCIAL / PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS RESEARCH (3cr.)

Conceptsetmesuresdustressetdesstresseurs.Analysecritiquedesmodlesthoriquesetdesrecherchesempiriquesconcernantles
vnementsdelavie,lapprhensioncognitive,lesstratgiesdanticipationetdegestiondustress. Constructs and measurements of stress
and stressors. Critical analysis of theoretical models and empirical research of life events, cognitive appraisal, anticipation and coping
strategies.

PHR6910STAGEENVALUATIONETGESTIONDURISQUEENSANTDESPOPULATIONS/PRACTICUMIN
POPULATION HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT (3cr.)
Stage(10heures/semaine)dansunmilieudepolitiquesdelasantauseind'uneorganisationd'accueil,approuveparunmembredu
Conseilconsultatifdudiplme.Expriencedansledomainedespolitiquesetdelagestiondel'valuationdurisque.L'tudiantdoit
soumettreunrapportsurl'applicationdel'valuationdesrisques.NotS/NSparunmembredelafacultenconsultationavecle
superviseurdestage.Pralables:PHR5181etpermissionducoordonnateurdustage./Placement(10hours/week)inahealthpolicy
setting in a host organization approved by a faculty member of the Diploma Advisory Board. Hands-on experience in the risk policy and
evaluation field. Written report to be submitted by the student on the application of risk assessment. Graded S/NS by a faculty member in
consultation
withRisk
theAssessment
placement
Population Health
andsupervisor.
Management Prerequisites: PHR 5181, and permission of practicum coordinator. Pralables/Prerequisites:
EPI5181 et permission du coordonnateur du stage / EPI 5181, and permission of practicum coordinator.
PSY6905 PSYCHOLOGIE COMMUNAUTAIRE / COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY (3cr.)
tudeducontextesociohistoriquedelapsychologiecommunautaire.Valeurs,paradigmesetobjectifs.Santmentalecommunautaire,
prventionprimaire,etstratgiesdintervention./Sociohistoricalcontextofcommunitypsychology.Values,paradigms,andobjectives.
Community mental health, primary prevention and intervention strategies.
PSY6923 RECHERCHE SUR LE STRESS PSYCHOSOCIAL / PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS RESEARCH (3cr.)
Conceptsetmesuresdustressetdesstresseurs.Analysecritiquedesmodlesthoriquesetdesrecherchesempiriquesconcernantles
vnementsdelavie,lapprhensioncognitive,lesstratgiesdanticipationetdegestiondustress. Constructs and measurements of stress
and stressors. Critical analysis of theoretical models and empirical research of life events, cognitive appraisal, anticipation and coping
strategies.
PSY6982LAPSYCHOLOGIEETLASANT/PSYCHOLOGYANDHEALTH (3cr.)
Facteurspsychosociauxdanslasantmentaleetphysique.Approchebiopsychosociale.Notionsdpidmiologie.Facteursderisque,de
maintienetdermission.Stratgiesdintervention. Psychosocial factors in physical and mental health.
Bio-Psycho-Social approach.
Notions of epidemiology. Risk, maintenance, and remission factors. Intervention strategies.
PSY7102 FIELD RESEARCH IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS (3cr.)
Practical experience in carrying out applied research and program evaluation in a community agency or organization. Prerequisite: PSY
7103)
PSY7103 PROGRAM EVALUATION (3cr.)
Concept of a health service program. Evaluation in relation to the development of health service programs.
Organizational context of
evaluation. Needs assessment and community program planning. Evaluation of program outcomes. Evaluation of service quality.

Programs
Graduate Diploma Population Health Risk Assessment and Management

Address
Program in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management
115SraphinMarionStreet,Office211
Ottawa, ON
K1N 6N5
Canada
Telephone: 613-562-5691
Email : pop@uOttawa.ca
http://www.mclaughlincentre.ca

Professors
KREWSKI, Daniel, Cross-appointment
Environmental and occupational epidemiology; biostatistics; population health risk assessment

Printed Date: 2015-03-24

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