Field epidemiology is the application of epidemiologic methods to unexpected health problems when a rapid on-site investigation is necessary for timely intervention (M. Gregg, Field Epidemiology, 2002). Field Epidemiologists are disease detectives; they are invited on-site to study diseases in order to better understand and control them. This "shoe-leather" epidemiology involves helping the investigation team define, find and interview cases, coordinate the collection and analysis of specimens, apply statistical methods to assess factors responsible for illness and recommend control measures.
Public Health Agency of Canada's CFEP was previously known as the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). It was established in 1975 at the request of Canadian provinces and territories to provide specialized training for health professionals in the practice of applied epidemiology. The CFEP was modeled after the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CFEP was the first Field Epidemiology Training Program of which there are now close to 30 in so many countries. The CFEP has over 100 graduates now working throughout Canada and the world, contributing to increase public health capacity nationally and globally.
Field Epidemiologists acquire experience and contribute to scientific knowledge and public health service by exploring a variety of public health issues. During their training, Field Epidemiologists:
Field Epidemiologists are Public Health Agency of Canada employees and are placed at the Public Health Agency of Canada, other federal departments as well as provincial and local health departments and public health agencies (Placements). They are deployed to assist in field investigations within the jurisdiction of their placement or on behalf of the CFEP, in Canada and internationally. The CFEP participates in international activities through the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations. Since the program's inception, Canadian Field Epidemiologists have investigated close to 250 outbreaks and other public health issues and provided epidemiological assistance to every jurisdiction in Canada and close to a dozen countries internationally (EPI-AIDs).
The CFEP aims to develop skills and competencies that are not easily taught in academic or workplace settings. Field Epidemiologists must complete eight Professional Experience Guidelines (PEGs) in order to graduate from the two-year program. Upon graduation, Field Epidemiologists earn a certificate and the recognition, nationally and internationally, that they have undergone Field Epidemiology training.
The CFEP offers specialized training courses for its Field Epidemiologists every year. The annual Epidemiology in Action Course is also offered to external participants. The objective of this course is to review epidemiological methods as they pertain to outbreak investigations, surveillance and field studies. The fall and spring courses are designed for the Field Epidemiologists. They focus on improving communication skills and on the surveillance evaluation projects. Additional training is acquired through attending conferences and workshops.
Duration
Field Epi training lasts two years.
Work Placements
CFEP Field Epis are placed in federal, provincial, territorial and local health departments or public health agencies for the duration of their two years of training.
Incoming Field Epis rank their top five placements and placements rank their top five Field Epis. The CFEP office matches each Field Epi with a placement. Most Field Epis are matched to one of their top three choices. If a placement match is outside the Field Epi's city of residence, the CFEP office will reimburse a portion of the relocation costs.
Field Work
Field Epis are deployed to the field upon request to support investigations to control diseases of local, provincial, territorial, national or international concern. This may include communicable disease outbreaks, clusters of chronic diseases, surveillance activities and teaching and training. Deployment is at the discretion of the placement supervisors within their jurisdiction or the CFEP staff for EPI-AIDS.
Field Epis may assist in:
Fieldwork can last from two to three weeks. Follow-up work (e.g., further analysis of data, writing the report) usually takes another four to six weeks once the Field Epi returns from the field.
Work Expectations
Dr. Lee Lior, Program Director
Dr. Linda Panaro, Program Director
Dr. Robert Pless, Program Director
Dr. Rob Stirling, Program Director
Samantha Wilson-Clark, National Training Coordinator
Ellen Nadarajah da Silva, Program Manager
Gisèle Jolicoeur, Administrative Officer
Natasha Turcotte, Administrative Assistant
Cohort 33 (2007-2009)
Maritia
Gully
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (Vancouver)
Monika
Lindegger
New Brunswick Department of Health (Fredericton)
Jennifer May-Hadford
Foodborne,
Waterborne and Zoonotic Infections Division, PHAC (Guelph)
Rachel
McCormick
Foodborne,
Waterborne and Zoonotic Infections Division, PHAC (Guelph)
Robyn
Mitchell
Montreal Public Health (Montreal)
Sue
Pollock
National Collaborating Centre,
Environmental Health (Vancouver)
Joanne
Tataryn
Saskatoon Health Region (Saskatoon)
Marsha
Taylor
BC Centre
for Disease Control (Vancouver)
François-William
Tremblay
Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux du Québec (Quebec City)
Jordan
Tustin
Human-Animal Interface and Public Health Intervention Unit, PHAC (St-Hyacinthe)
Cohort 32 (2006-2008)
Susan
Clay
Nova Scotia Department of Health (Halifax)
Adrian
Dalloo
Immunization and Respiratory Infections Division, PHAC (Ottawa)
Meena
Dawar
Vaccine Evaluation Centre (Vancouver)
Michael
Garner
Immunization and Respiratory Infections Division, PHAC (Ottawa)
Heather
Hannah
Montreal Public Health (Montreal) - effective February 2007
Lena Shah
Epidemiology Services, BC Centre for Disease Control (Vancouver)
Joseph
Vayalumkal
Infection Control Department, The Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa)
Over 100 health professionals have been trained as Field Epidemiologists in Canada over more than 25 years. These CFEP alumni are now practicing as: