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Epidemiologist according to the job description is currently on everyone’s lips. But what exactly do epidemiologists do? How does one become an epidemiologist? What are the options?
Work profile
Before you think about the question “How does one become an epidemiologist?” “, we first get to the job profile of an epidemiologist. We have already discussed what exactly epidemiologists do and what distinguishes them from virologists in the article: What do virologists and epidemiologists do? displayed. In short, epidemiologists deal Diseases and their spread and course in the population or in population groups. They not only investigate the course of such an outbreak, but also take causes such that factorswhich influence the course positively and negatively, transmission paths and aftermath disease or disease outbreak for the population. In addition, they also examine what area are particularly endangered or affected and also which persons or population groups are or may be particularly affected. Also rating probability of outbreak belongs to work. Your desktop is thus next to active detention in the case of existing disease outbreaks as well prevention such. To do this, create protection conceptbased on established risk and protective factors.
The point of view is not purely medical or medical factors. Even epidemiologists take them environmental influences that influence disease outbreaks, as well as personal, social and genetic factors that may play a role. Diseases and disease outbreaks are therefore viewed from different perspectives to account for all possible relevant factors.
For all this, epidemiologists already use, among other things existing Data, which they analyze. On the other hand, they can own Data collect, for example, by taking blood or interviewing affected persons. Therefore, it may also happen that epidemiologists in the current crisis areas travel with outbreaks to collect data that is important to their work on the ground. On the spot, they can help limit and defeat the outbreak and prevent further outbreaks. In doing so, they create both quantitative as qualitative study.
Through his field of work in researchepidemiologists often work research institutes, universities or clinics, but also, as already said, in crisis areas. Their work and its results are among others Important for politics, medicine and authorities as well as for the population in general.
The tasks and activities of an epidemiologist are therefore diverse. But how does one become an epidemiologist?
How does one become an epidemiologist?
You should bring it with you
If you answer the question “How does one become an epidemiologist?” ”, you should first look at the personal requirements that an epidemiologist should have. It is an important feature for the work of an epidemiologist Reliable be. In addition, one should also have good social and communication skills available as it may be necessary when dealing with data subjects. High is also important endurance, because work in crisis areas can also be part of the job. That’s why there are good ones knowledge of foreign languages necessary, at least in English.
Also mathematical understanding and a certain amount of fun in the process statistics must be taken with you as quantitative research is also an important part of the job. In general, it should scientific understanding take with you and have fun with mathematics and biology, because the laboratory is also a field of work. Also the ability stuff analyze critically and analytically is relevant.
Training route
The answer to the question “How does one become an epidemiologist?” ” To finally answer, what training path you need to choose for this will now be examined. There are different ways to become an epidemiologist. In any case, studying is at the beginning of the journey. However, there is no basic, i.e. bachelor’s, degree in the field of “epidemiology”. Field of study epidemiology is usually a Master’s degree with entry requirements. be able to various bachelor’s degrees they qualify you to challenge the master, which means that there can be different paths to becoming an epidemiologist.
Bachelor’s degrees that often qualify for a master’s degree in epidemiology science courses, medicine, pharmacy, mathematics, social sciences and psychology. However, it is up to the university itself to decide which study programs qualify you for a master’s degree, so be sure to contact your chosen universities in advance inform should. Often there is more going on professional examswhich precede the recording of the master. That also level of English must often be proven by test. In this regard too, it is necessary to contact the universities at an early stage askexactly what the on-site admission requirements look like.
The master’s degree itself is often open 2 to 4 semesters designed and contains modules from different sub-areas epidemiology. These include, for example, research, biometrics, scientific work, epidemiological knowledge in the clinical and general fields, public health, health promotion, genetic aspects and much more. As a specialization, one can focus on prevention in the global or local health system. In addition, one can partially choose whether to focus on social, clinical or bio-genetic epidemiological factors.
In addition to this method, you can also Specialists in microbiology, virology and epidemiology of infections work as an epidemiologist.
Conclusion – How does one become an epidemiologist?
You ask yourself: “How does one become an epidemiologist? ”, so you must know that the path to becoming an epidemiologist can be different. As a rule, it leads through a Relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s in epidemiologyfor which there is often Qualification exam they are. But also certain specialists may go to epidemiology. They are important Mathematical and statistical knowledge, analytical and social and communicative skills, resilience and much more. The work is there changeable and Important for the health of the population.
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