Question

Explain how studies of outbreak investigations different from studies of chronic disease, health equity, or health policy fieldwork. please post at least 3 comments/observations you came up with. Thus, your answer should have at least 5 paragraphs: an introduction; a paragraph per comment/observation; and a conclusion. For each point, you should provide evidence that backs up your point. Thus, include references/citation at the end.

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION

Generally outbreak means a “sudden occurrence,” while in the epidemiological sense an outbreak is defined as a sudden increase in the disease frequency, related to time, place, and observed population.  It occurs when more cases of a disease are recognized than would normally be expected at a given time among a specific group of people. Example: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Chronic diseases are the conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. They are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Chronic diseases have an impact on and change patient’s lives which means that they need to find ways to cope with the new situation. Examples of chronic diseases are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Patients who have a chronic disease have to find new ways to cope with their changed situation and develop coping strategies that relate to the way they think and act in order to manage stressful situations

PURPOSE

The primary reason for conducting outbreak investigations is to identify the source in order to establish control and to institute measures that will prevent future episodes of disease. They are also sometimes undertaken to train new personnel or to learn more about the disease and its mechanisms for transmission. For example a study on outbreak of Cholera in a geographical  area. The cases are identified and the information is recorded in a systematic way and to organize it in a way that will make analysis much easier.

The studies on chronic diesease aim in reducing risks, promoting healthy life which indicate that the mortality, morbidity and disability attributed to the major chronic diseases redued. For example : a detailed study on patients' with diabetes mellitus.

OBSERVATION

Outbreak investigation: For instance, a cluster of five cases with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was identified in one community in southwest France in 2005. The outbreak investigation showed that all patients had consumed one brand of frozen beef burgers in the week before the onset of symptom. Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli 0157:H7) was identified as the cause of the disease.

Chronic disease :An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the Unor instance, a cluster of five cases with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was identified in one community in southwest France in 2005. T . Being informed allows patients to self-monitor and seek appropriate and timely medical care .The road from sickness to wellness requires integrated efforts from physicians and patients—physicians can coach and guide the patients but the ultimate cross-over to wellness lies in the patients’ hands.

STEPS INVOLVED IN OUTBREAK INVETIGATION

1. Searching in surveillance data and laboratory data (e.g., summaries of illnesses, morbidity reports from local health departments)
2. Surveying physicians, personnel of clinical microbiological laboratories, and hospitals to check logs about diseases or diagnoses typical for the current outbreak
3. Questioning known outbreak cases to find secondary cases (e.g., based on guest or participant lists of an event), public announcements in the local press, radio, and other mass media

STEPS INVOLVED IN STUDIES ON CHRONIC DISEASES

1. Start where you are
2. Understand the problem
3. Aim for something
4. Understand the ideal system of care
5. Think “baby steps.”
6. Commission your pilot group

CONCLUSION

The aim of outbreak epidemiology is to study an epidemic in order to gain control over it and to prevent further spread of the disease.People with a chronic disease have to live with the consequences the disease has for their life situation. They need to find strategies to cope with the negative outcome in their new life. Support from their own network and healthcare professionals can be helpful in the new life situation.

REFENCES

Mark S. Dworkin. Outbreak investigations around the world, Case studies in infectious disease and field epidemiology.

Research on Chronic Diseases

Outbreak Investigations Alexander Krämer,Mirjam Kretzschmar, and Klaus Krickeberg

Improving Chronic Disease Care in the Real World: A Step-by-Step Approach