Raj Bhopal. Concepts of Epidemiology: Integrating the Ideas, Theories, Principles and Methods of Epidemiology

This book begins with a brief introduction to epidemiology followed by a chapter covering the concept and importance of populations in epidemiology. Subsequent chapters then detail the importance of variation in disease, either by time, person or place; the importance of error, bias, confounding and risk modification or interaction; and causation in epidemiology. Chapters 6 and 7 then cover various epidemiological concepts: the natural history of disease, population patterns, spectrum of disease, screening and risk. It is only at this stage that the book covers incidence and prevalence as fundamental epidemiological measures before proceeding to the presentation of epidemiological data; epidemiological study design and data analysis; and a mysteriously titled chapter ‘epidemiology in the future’ (only one section of which actually appears to address what the future of epidemiology may hold). The book clearly benefits from Bhopal's knowledge not only just of the subject area but also of alternative books available for students of epidemiology.¹

This book is a teaching aid aimed at the student as opposed to, say, a reference book. As such, it covers both epidemiological science and practice. Throughout the text there are numerous boxes containing examples and illustrations that engage the reader, requiring thought and the application of newly acquired principles which are then picked up and discussed in the main text. Each chapter begins with a concise list of learning objectives for that chapter and concludes with sample examination questions, designed to test the knowledge acquired in the chapter, together with outline answers. Case studies included throughout with real examples drawn from medical literature add colour to the book, and a useful list of references and further reading for each chapter—together with a few web sites of epidemiological interest—remind the reader that this book is a starting place for those learning epidemiology and not a sole resource.

There are some undoubted gems in this book. Among these I would include a section encouraging some careful thought prior to undertaking data analysis, a comprehensive list of questions underpinning the appraisal of epidemiological research, and a section entitled ‘How to keep your supervisor happy; or 9 tips on research writing’. And weaknesses? It seems strange to keep the reader waiting until chapter 7 before describing incidence and prevalence, or chapter 8 before introducing standardization and odds ratios. Bhopal suggests that the reader may wish to read about the epidemiological tools in chapters 7–9 before covering the general material in chapters 2–6, but the order in which the book is presented suggests that this is not the preferred learning method. This should certainly not dissuade any epidemiology student from reading the book, and the course outline proposed in the book (with specific guidance as to which parts should be included depending on the target audience) may be helpful to many planning epidemiology courses.

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