How do you explain your role as an epidemiologist to the non-scientific community?
As an epidemiologist, Dr. Huntley often struggles with how to explain epidemiology to people who are not familiar with the field or her profession. She’s not sure when she has diluted the definition too much or when she has provided a little too much complex information. When Huntley is in a social setting and people are talking about themselves and describing what they do for a living, her mind is often racing for which versions of the definition of epidemiology will be the best to use in the conversation when it becomes her turn to respond. How do you respond in similar situations? What do you say?
How do you explain your role as an epidemiologist in a way that is easily understood? This topic was also posted in the community forum on this website, so if you’d like to provide your response to Dr. Huntley’s question, she encourages you to do so.
Listen to 'What is an Epidemiologist' on the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Here are the highlights covered in this podcast episode.
Background and definition
CDC explains the word epidemiology comes from the Greek words
Epi – meaning on or upon
Demos – meaning people
Logos – meaning study of
has its roots in the study of what happens in a population
Although there are many definitions of epidemiology, the most widely accepted definition is provided by A Dictionary of Epidemiology (which is the definition used by CDC and WHO)
“study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related events, states, and processes in specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such processes, and the application of this knowledge to control relevant health problems”
The definition of epidemiologist is long, but key parts are as follows:
“A professional to has expertise in population thinking and epidemiological methods and is knowledgeable about public health, causal inference in health, and substantive matter relevant to the specific job.”
“The diversity of training, skills, tasks, interests, contexts, and professional ideological profiles is similar to many other professions.”
“…more or less emphasis in practice or theory on service, planning, policy, advocacy, research, teaching, individual and collective exposures and other causes, outcomes, methods, environment, social factors, biology, clinical medicine, specialty or transdiciplinarity”
“Epidemiologist show a rich plurality of scientific cultures and practices.”
Understanding the definitions of epidemiology and epidemiologist is not the same as being able to apply it in real settings and situations
For your own understanding
Ability to explain to others in a way that can be easily understood
your coworkers in different departments
colleagues and classmates who may not really understand your degree program or career goals
family members, friends, or others who are in different industries and who may not be familiar with public health at all
Summary of responses received
Most Common confusion from responses:
Confusion from the assumption that epidemiology somehow deals with the epidermis, thus making an erroneous connection with dermatology
Popular responses
disease detectives
disease control
public health specialist in disease prevention
using mathematical and statistical techniques, quantifies and controls the spread of disease
look at patterns of diseases in populations
investigate patterns of diseases in populations
examine how disease affects people in different ways and then look for ways to prevent disease and improve health
study disease outbreaks
Good tips for how to explain what you do as an epidemiologist:
Use analogy to help people understand.
Popular movies like zombie or movie about disease outbreak and explain the epidemiologist’s role in trying to pinpoint the source of the outbreak, understanding how it’s being transmitted, and preventing it from continuing to spread.
Using an example from a well-known association, like smoking and lung cancer, as a way of helping you explain your role as an epidemiologist
Using a well-known disease such as Ebola, influenza, a specific cancer, obesity, diabetes, etc
Use distinction between physician and epidemiologist.
Sometimes difficult for my colleagues who are medical doctors and epidemiologists (having both MD and PhD or MPH)
Try explaining big differences between physician and epidemiologist
Physician treats individual patients, one at a time vs epidemiologist focus on the health of populations of people
Find humorous ways to explain.
My colleague’s example: He tells people that he’s the guy responsible for sexually transmitted infections in his country then pauses for their reaction
Usually grabs enough attention to allow for a more complete explanation
Start with a simple straight-forward explanation and then look for their level of interest beyond that and continue if they appear to want to learn or hear more.
Develop the ability to be versatile in communicating with the populations you serve and the communities where you work.
Remember that education levels will vary within the communities we serve.
There is not always a need very scientific content or complex explanations but rather be based in common sense and be action oriented.
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