Confronting the Burden of Injuries

Course Syllabus

Course Description

Provides an understanding of approaches to measuring the burden of injuries around the world and familiarizes students with current estimates of the burden of injuries in the global and developing world. Develops basic skills for assessment of injury epidemiology. Provides an appreciation of how to use these measures for planning interventions for injury prevention and creates awareness of the economic implications of injuries in the developing world. Promotes effective use of data for appropriate policy analysis for reduction of injury burden.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

Identify the current estimates of the burden of injuries globally
Describe approaches to measuring the burden of injuries, including costs
Assess the magnitude of the problem and evaluate the current/potential interventions
Use data for policy development and provide tools to conduct policy analysis for reduction of injury burden

Course Topics

This course covers the following topics:

Module 1 introduces the course and its goals, discusses course logistics, reviews injury prevention concepts, and presents the need for implementation of injury prevention interventions throughout the world.

Module 2 describes methods for assessing the magnitude of the injury problem in terms of mortality, morbidity, disability, costs, and exposure.

Module 3 presents case studies in greater detail through a series of complimentary lectures.

Module 4 explains how injury prevention interventions are selected, implemented, enforced, and evaluated. Also highlighted in this module are methodological issues related to evaluation.

Module 5 examines the state of emergency services and trauma systems around the world and presents essential features of a responsive acute care system for injuries.

Module 6 discusses complementary aspects of injury prevention, including alcohol.

Course Format

This course employs an innovative action plan.

Reading assignments: Please read the assigned articles posted in the Online Library or in E-Reserves prior to accessing each lecture.

Lectures: You are to complete all lectures during the term.

Optional self-study surveys: Surveys are available at the end of most lectures to help review key themes. Completion of self-study surveys is optional.

Assignment: We believe that the best way to evaluate whether you have achieved the course goals is to ask you to develop an argument for an injury prevention program. You will work on different sections of your assignment throughout the course.

Course Materials

Course readings will be available online through the E-Reserve system, a service provided by the Welch Library. You will be given access instructions on individual lecture and assignment pages.

Interaction

Throughout the course, you have the opportunity to use the Bulletin Board and LiveTalk to raise questions about and comments on any aspect of the course. LiveTalk agendas will be announced during the course. Your participation in each scheduled session as well as your participation in the BBS are essential and will be included in the course grading.

BBS and LiveTalks

Students will be placed in groups based on their backgrounds. Each group will be assigned an article for which they will post an online discussion and then lead a 10-15 minute discussion during a subsequent LiveTalk. The BBS discussion should be posted three days prior to the scheduled LiveTalk so that others can read it in preparation for the LiveTalk discussions.

BBS and LiveTalk Presentations

The following guideline for your presentation is suggested:
- General scope of paper and key objectives of paper (1 slide)
- Methodologies used (1 slide) - Were they appropriate?
- Results/major findings (1 slide) - brief summary highlighting important findings
- Limitations (1 slide) - What were the potential flaws? What could have been done better?
- Your group thoughts on Implications for injury prevention and control / policy implications? (1 slide)

The teaching assistant will be responsible for logistical issues related to the course: posting course-related information, collecting assignments, and monitoring the Bulletin Board. The teaching assistant is your first point of contact for any questions related to the course.

Contact Information

Instructors
Adnan Hyder, MD, PhD
Email: ahyder@jhsph.edu
Office: School of Public Health E8142
Phone: 410-955-1253

Maria Segui-Gomez, MD, MPH, MSc, ScD
Email: msegui@unav.es

Teaching Assistant

Abdulgafoor M. Bachani
Email: abachani@jhsph.edu

Help

Concerns

Contact

Concerns about course topics and assignments

Email Course TAs: burdenofinjuries@gmail.com

Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem)

DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses

Technical help on weekends

JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781

Concerns about your Internet connection

Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.)

Concerns about your personal software

Your software vendor

Grading Policy

Final course evaluation will be based on the following components:

Assignment Part 1 (40%)
Assignment Part 2 (10%)
Assignment Part 3 (40%)
Participation in Bulletin Board (BBS) discussions and LiveTalks (10%)

NOTE: Final grades will not be based solely on the grades of individual assignments; a student's improvement (or decline) during the course and comparison of individual students with the entire class will also be important determinants.

Late Grade Policy

All assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (U.S.) on the scheduled due date. Completing assignments on time is expected. Late assignments may result in the depreciation of the final grade. If illness or special circumstances impact completing an assignment on time, you are encouraged to contact the TA prior to the due date to discuss options.

Ethical Conduct

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 2002, will be adhered to in this class.

Disability Support Services

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.

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Copyright to this collective work of materials is owned by The Johns Hopkins University.
Copyright to individual contributions may be retained by contributing authors.