Public health practice and research requires an understanding of the temporal-spatial distribution of health, diseases, risk factors, social economic conditions, and environmental attributes. Geographic Information System (GIS) is an important tool for mapping and supporting the analysis of the interrelationships of the implicated factors. In addition to revealing previously uncharacterised health patterns, GIS also offers an alternative 'picture' to that of a spreadsheet, chart or report summary. Interest in GIS has grown tremendously over the years, and is becoming a catalyst for facilitating inter-disciplinary research for addressing public health issues in perspective.

The Application of GIS in public health is a new course for introducing GIS to the health care field. The Course is developed jointly by the Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases. It aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills for applying GIS in a diversity of public health fields, including epidemiology, social medicine, health service delivery and policy development.

• Understand the principles and capabilities of GIS
• Acquire knowledge in the application of GIS in public health practice and research
• Develop basic skills in the organisation and utilization of spatial data for epidemiology and other public health applications

• Medical, nursing and allied health professionals, preferably from the public health or research discipline, who are involved, planning to be involved or interested in the application of GIS in their field of practice.
• Candidates should have basic knowledge in epidemiology and/or public health and be familiar with Microsoft Excel. No prior knowledge in GIS is however required.

CME accreditation

• Examination composing of multiple choices and short questions (50%)
• Group project and presentation (40%)
• Participation (10%)

Students are required to obtain a ‘satisfactory pass’ in the assessment. Upon satisfying these requirements, the “Certificate of Completion” will be awarded.
Students who attended at least 80% of the sessions but did not take the assessment would be awarded a “Certificate of Attendance” instead.

English will be used as the language for instruction, supplemented by Cantonese during practical sessions.

School of Public Health , Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin
15 May 2009 (Fri)- 6:30pm-8:30pm
22 May 2009 (Fri)– 6:30pm-8:30pm
23 May 2009 (Sat)– 10:00am-1:00pm, 2:00pm-5:00pm
29 May 2009 (Fri) – 6:30pm-8:30pm
30 May 2009 (Sat) – 10:00am-1:00pm
12 June 2009 (Fri) – 6:30pm-8:00pm
27 June 2009 (Sat) – 2:00pm-5:00pm
Laboratory sessions (exact date to be confirmed):
1 June 2009 (Mon) to 20 June 2009 (Sat):
Mon-Fri: 6:30pm-9:30pm, Sat:10:00am-1:00pm

A bachelor’s degree in medicine or an approved related field. For non-professional degree holders, honours not lower than second class are required.

The application form can be downloaded from:
http://www.sph.cuhk.edu.hk/cms/images/stories/education/others/ShortCourses/30122008shortcourse2008-2009.pdf
The completed application and supporting documents should be sent to the following address with an application fee of HK$100.00 (A crossed personal cheque or bankdraft may payable to: “The Chinese University of Hong Kong”).

One photocopy of certificates of academic/professional qualifications (e.g. Diploma or other qualifications) together with the application form. Original documents must NOT be sent.

The application form should be completed and returned at least TWO weeks before the programme commences.

Applicants will be notified of the application result when the programme concerned has made its decision.

Students are required to pay full tuition fee before the course commence. The tuition fee, once paid, is non-refundable or non-transferable.

Payment(s) can be made by a crossed cheque or bankdraft, payable to:
“The Chinese University of Hong Kong”

Room 202, 2/F, School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong