Posted: Problem Set # 1; Answers to Problem Set #0

Posted: Problem Set # 1; Answers to Problem Set #0

by Michael Kohn -
Number of replies: 0

Dear Epi 204 students,

Welcome to the course!

I just posted Problem Set #1 and the Answers to Problem Set #0.  As you will see in Problem Set #1, our problems generally have a correct answer, like "kappa = 0.43", but Problem Set #0 doesn't have correct answers.  The main message is that medical tests should in general guide treatment decisions.  If a test can't possibly change your treatment decision, why do it?  There may be a good reason, but we should explain it, not just reflexively seek the primary cancer in a man with pleural metastases, identify the specific virus causing a child's diarrhea, or do axillary nodal dissection on a woman with breast cancer.

Best,

Michael