Newsletter July 2006
Selection Cohort 12
Out of a total of 125 applications for the two-year EPIET fellowship, 13 fellows have
been selected. They will start September 24 with the Introductory Course 2006 in
Menorca.
Recruiting a 4th part time coordinator
EPIET has as of May 1, 2006, recruited Dr. Richard Pebody to join the team of
scientific coordinators for the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology
Training (EPIET). Richard is well known to many of you as his involvement in EPIET
has been extensive, starting in 1996 as fellow (Cohort 2), then as facilitator, supervisor
and president of the EAN (2001-2005). He is currently a Consultant Epidemiologist at
HPA Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and Office for National Statistics,
London, UK. Richard has a part-time appointment as EPIET coordinator, in addition to
his tasks in the UK, in order to fill the vacancy of 40% coordinator that became
available when Arnold Bosman was appointed as head training coordinator.
With Richard on board the team of coordinators is at the original strength again, which
is important in the current programme activities for cohorts 10, 11 and 12. We look
forward to a fruitful collaboration and wish him all the best in this new task.
Past and upcoming modules
Logistic Regression module, Madrid, Spain, April 3-7, 2006 (Cohort 10 & 11).
The course took place at the Spanish Public Health School, Instituto Carlos III. This
module was possible thanks to contributions from David Prieto, Massimiliano di Renzi
and colleagues from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Special thanks to Marta and Nico
for a wonderful house warming party.
Current Projects Review: a one-day pilot module in UK and Ireland.
During some of the recent EPIET modules, we have been discussing the idea of a
regional activity within EPIET for fellows and trainers of ‘smaller’ sites, where there are
‘single’ fellows. The objective is to allow fellows and supervisors to share their current
field studies in more detail, in order to get relevant input and inspiration in general for
design and analysis. Especially in smaller sites, where the number of technical staff
may be limited, or where there may not be access to highly specific expertise to
consult for advice, it may be essential for the fellow in the earlier stages of a project or
of the analysis of data to get a variety of technical input.
The first pilot-module took place was hosted by the London regional office on July 3.
Five fellows and five trainers from Belfast, Gloucester, Glasgow, London region, and
Ireland participated. Two future EPIET supervisors also participated as part of a ‘train
the trainer’ opportunity. The evaluation brought forward that meetings like this should
be repeated, but do not necessarily have to be organised by EPIET. The timing of such
sessions would preferably be within the first six months of a fellowship in order to have
the best impact in study design and plan of analysis.
Project review module (preparation for scientific Seminar), Tallin, Estonia: 28
August- 1st September 2006 (Cohort 10 & 11). Not open for external participants.
- The 13th EPIET Introductory Course will take place 25 Sept-11 October 2006 in El
Lazareto, Menorca. Thirteen EPIET fellow from cohort 12, Chris Williams from cohort
11, seven German FETPs from cohort 11 and 12, and a Norwegian FETP will participate
in the course. In addition 14 external participants have been selected.
The Course will be followed by the EPIET Scientific Seminar in the Teatre Principal
de Maó, 12-14 October 20006. The abstract deadline is at June 30, 23:59. The
abstracts will be reviewed and results of the review process communicated in August.
There will be a call for latebreakers August 14th, deadline September 4th.
Topics from the Programme Office
A reinforcement of the administration has been done. A new programme assistant,
Therese Leike, has been recruited. Her main tasks will be to support the administrator
with the daily financial tasks: invoicing, accounting, updating reports and prepare the
interim and final reports to EU. She can be contacted at: therese.leike@smi.ki.se. Her
telephone number is still to be confirmed and she has the same post address as the
rest of the programme office.
Fellows on Missions
Naomi Boxall and Andreas Gilsdorf (German FETP cohort 10) went to Azerbaijan in
March in a WHO-Euro mission to provide support to AI preparedness and response and
to investigate the cluster of human avian flu cases.
We are planning a REST on Avian Flu involving EPIET fellows and supervisors who
have participated in the international missions.
Measles outbreak in Ukraine
Inga Velicko (cohort 10) and Louise Ledet-Müller (cohort 11) went on a mission by
WHO-Euro to investigate the ongoing measles outbreak in two regions in the Ukraine.
They described the outbreak and performed a study.
Measles surveillance and outbreaks in Romania
Patricia Santa Olalla (cohort 10) went on a WHO-Euro mission to Romania under the
supervision of Andreas Reich, FETP alumnus to evaluate the Romanian measles
surveillance system.
Bruno Ciancio (cohort 10) and Suzy Lyons went on a follow-up mission to Romania to
investigate the ongoing measles outbreaks, which seem to be linked to special
subpopulations. They are currently undertaking a study to investigate the risk factors
for not being vaccinated.
Turkey course
Four fellows, several EPIET supervisors and Marta Valenciano have facilitated a threeweek field epidemiology introductory course in Turkey under the guidance of Fernando
Simon Soria, EPIET alumnus and supervisor.
Tragic loss
We are terribly sad to have lost our friend Massimiliano di Renzi, who died in a car
accident during a mission in Turkey. Max was a fellow of cohort 9. We have always
deeply appreciated his warm friendship. We will miss him a lot.