• Question: How did you become interested in studying epidemiology?

    Asked by ailhep123 to Suzi on 10 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 10 Jun 2011:

      Hi @ailhep123
      Thanks for this question!
      Epidemiology is a strange thing – it’s not really something you can study straight out of school, although it is part of a medicine degree. I didn’t really know much about it when I was at University studying psychology, but I read a book called Bad Science by Ben Goldacre. He’s an Epidemiologist, and his book is BRILLIANT.

      I started off as a psychologist, but some questions that I wanted to answer can’t be looked at by doing experiments on people. I can’t give people lots of cannabis to smoke – i’ts unethical. So Epidemiology is a great way to answer questions that can’t be answered by psychology.

      Also, I like that I’m looking at large groups of people that represent real populations, so the results I collect are relevant to lots of people.

      I hope this answers your question, let me know if you’d like to know more 🙂

Comments

  • Photo: ailhep123

    ailhep123 commented on :

    thank you for answering my question, it sounds like a really interesting thing to do as a proffesion. Where did you actually study the subject because I have never heard of epidemiology before looking at your profile ?????

  • Photo: Suzi

    Suzi commented on :

    I didn’t actually study epidemiology. I studied Psychology at university, then did a masters in Cognitive Neuropsychology. I don’t think there are whole degrees in Epidemiology (although I may be wrong and I’ll try and find out for you) but it’s part of a Medicine degree. Otherwise it’s something people come to from all sorts of places, maybe maths, or economics, or biology, or physiology.

    It’s a great thing to do. And if you want to know more about it I really recommend Ben Goldacre’s book… 🙂

  • Photo: ailhep123

    ailhep123 commented on :

    thank you I shall try and find the book.