Course Schedule & Course Descriptions

POPHS 901: Population Health Science Theories & Evidence-Based Approaches 
Instructor: Jennifer Gierisch 
 

This class will describe and discuss the theories and application of theories to address population health problems. This will include theories from multiple disciplines including health behavior and education, medicine, implementation, and related fields. Emphasis on research related to social determinants of health and strategies and techniques used by health professionals to improve the health of populations. 

POPHS 903: Analytic Methods III:  
Instructors: Megan Shepherd-Banigan & Brystana Kaufman 
 

In this 2-semester course we will study the econometric tools which are used to support causal inference and apply these tools to real world data and draw causal conclusions based on those data. At the end of this course, students will be able to apply modern econometric methods to population health and health policy questions and to evaluate the approach and conclusions of econometric studies. Methods will address analyzing non-linear regression models and longitudinal and panel data. The 2-semseter course will culminate in a paper through which students will independently apply methods learned during the year to observational data to address a problem of their choice in population health 
 

POPHS 905: Population Health Research Design and Systematic Literature Review 
Instructor: Connor Drake
 

This course explores the nature and process of scientific inquiry in the field of population health. Specifically, the course will establish a foundation for methodically identifying, exploring, and evaluating literature relevant to students areas of research interest. 

POPHS 907: Population Health Sciences Professional Development I
Instructor: Hayden Bosworth
 

The seminar will engage presenters from the Duke School of Medicine and University to address resources and professional development activities; leading multidisciplinary research teams, best practices for presenting and publishing research, career opportunities including building an academic CV and preparing for a career in population health.

POPHS 920: Analytic Methods I: Design, Data, and Descriptive Statistics 
Instructor: Emily O'Brien
 

This course will address designing observational and interventional studies with attention to defining, identifying, and describing cohorts using a variety of data sources. This course will address forms of bias, right-censoring of data, and describing risks. Special emphasis will be placed on data originating from real-world settings, such as electronic health records and claim data.

POPHS 904: Analytic Methods IV 
Instructors: Megan Shepherd-Banigan & Brystana Kaufman  

This course is a continuation of POPHS 903. Students will study the econometric tools which are used to support causal inference and apply these tools to real world data and draw causal conclusions based on those data. At the end of this course, students will be able to apply modern econometric methods to population health and health policy questions and to evaluate the approach and conclusions of econometric studies. Methods will address analyzing non-linear regression models and longitudinal and panel data. The 2-semseter course will culminate in a paper through which students will independently apply methods learned during the year to observational data to address a problem of their choice in population health. 

POPHS 910: Fundamentals of Qualitative Methods
Instructor: Amy Corneli
 

This course will prepare learners for serving as an investigator of qualitative research studies. Learners will gain competency in 1) designing qualitative research studies, with an emphasis on selecting appropriate methods and analytical approaches and developing question guides; 2) providing oversight during data collection and analysis; 3) writing up study findings for peer-reviewed publications. Learners will gain competency in 1) designing rigorous qualitative studies for grant applications, 2) developing qualitative research study protocols, 3) identifying study domains and writing experiential question guides, 4) overseeing data collection and data management, 5) providing technical guidance during data analysis planning and implementation, 6) writing up study findings after analysis, and 7) preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts. 

POPHS 912: Population Health Sciences Professional Development II
Instructor: Hayden Bosworth
 

Following POPHS 907, this seminar will engage presenters from the Duke School of Medicine and University to address resources and professional development activities; leading multidisciplinary research teams, best practices for presenting and publishing research, career opportunities including building an academic CV, and preparing for a career in population health. 

POPHS 921: Analytic Methods II: Causal Inference 
Instructor: Alan Brookhart
 

This course will consider drawing interference about causal effects in a variety of settings using the potential outcomes framework. Topics covered include casual interference in randomized experiments and observational studies, bounds and sensitivity analysis, propensity scores, graphical models, survival analysis, handling missing data, and other areas.

POPHS 923: Principles of Health Measurement  
Instructors: Theresa Coles
 

This course covers the development and initial evaluation of clinical outcomes assessments (COAs). We will begin by reviewing the attributes of a quality COA and classical test theory and discuss modern validity theory. The primary focus of the course will be qualitative methods for COA development including concept elicitation, item generation/writing, cognitive testing, and coding. The course will also cover the COA development process from COA-specific literature reviews to determine if a new COA (or modifications) are needed to measure key concepts. 

POPHS 930: Grant Writing  
Instructors: Meira Epplein

This course contains lecture-based and active learning sessions. Content includes lectures combined with class discussions on format and structure of grant applications, concepts in peer review, best practices in articulating study design and data outcomes, rigor and reproducibility in a research plan, and crafting population health science significance statements. Students write an NIH-style proposal and actively participate in mock study sections. This course introduces students to writing and critiquing grant proposals, while also preparing them for writing their dissertation proposal

*All POPHS electives are 3 credits

Students can choose electives offered through DPHS or courses housed in other departments. Electives from outside of DPHS should be chosen in consultation with your mentor, and are approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

DPHS Electives

POPHS 811 Pragmatic Health Policy Research 
Fall, Instructor: Aaron McKethan

This course bridges the divide between analysis/methods courses (generating evidence) and policy courses (understanding specific policy areas, process, and stakeholders) to help students build foundational knowledge and focused skills in framing/communicating timely, policy-relevant evidence, applicable to many population health-related career paths. Students will increase knowledge and mastery of theoretical and substantive foundations of pragmatic policy analysis, specific policy areas, and issues (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, opioid use disorder, infant mortality, etc.). Students will be able to clearly communicate policy-relevant information, orally and in writing. 

POPHS 812 Quality of Care and Population Health 
Spring, Instructor: Staff 
 
The goal of enhancing the quality of care and services provided by healthcare and community organizations is at the heart of much of the practice, evaluation, and research in population health sciences. This course focuses on 1) defining and identifying quality goals; 2) determining measures of quality; 3) planning projects to improve quality; and 4) summarizing the impact of quality improvement efforts. 

POPHS 813 Population Health Through Implementation Science 
Fall, Instructor: Hannah Lane
 
Implementation science addresses the translation of evidence-based practices, programs, and policies into real-world settings. This course will include didactic lectures, with case studies, applied group work, and a culminating real-world, hands-on implementation, dissemination, de-implementation, or QI science project. 

POPHS 815 Health Services Research 
Fall, Instructor: Hayden Bosworth 

Health Services Research provides an overview of methods for undertaking research and program evaluation within health services organizations and systems. In addition to methods, the course also provides "the state of the art" in research and evaluation through the review of major completed studies. This course is recommended for students who will be carrying out policy research, social science research, or program impact evaluation within health delivery systems as well as developing and implementing programs to improve healthcare outcomes. 

POPHS 816 Population Health Data 
Spring, Instructors: Lesley Curtis & Asheley Skinner 
 
This course will provide an introduction to multiple different types of data, including national surveys, electronic health records, health insurance claims, and others-all relevant to Population Health. Additionally, the course addresses issues such as data provenance, data linkage, governance, and ethics. 

POPHS 818 Fundamentals of Qualitative Research  
Spring, Instructors: Amy Corneli & Brian Perry 
 
This course prepares learners for serving as a research assistant on qualitative research studies. Learners will have competency in 1) coordinating qualitative studies (e.g., screening, recruitment, regulatory, scheduling), 2) conducting qualitative interviews (e.g., demonstrable skills in leading in-depth interviews and focus groups), 3) managing study data, and 4) conducting qualitative analysis (e.g., demonstrable skills in analysis steps, use of software). 

POPHS 820 Pharmacoepidemiology and Population Health  
Fall, Instructors: Sudha Raman 

This course will introduce students to pharmacoepidemiology, defined as the application of epidemiological methods to study the use, safety and effectiveness of medication in populations. Students will learn to define and describe medication use, and safety and effectiveness outcomes using real-world data, as well as analytic and design approaches to recognize, quantify and reduce bias. This course will integrate a population health perspective, focusing on how pharmacoepidemiology evidence can inform equitable policy, regulatory and clinical decision making and the intersection of pharmacoepidemiology with pragmatic trial design, implementation science, and patient centered research methods.

POPHS 895 Population Health Internship
Summer, Instructor: Asheley Skinner

Student gains practical experience by taking an internship in industry/government. Requires prior consent from the student's advisor and from the Director of Graduate Studies. May be repeated with consent of the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Credit/no credit grading only.