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Clinician attitudes toward biostatistics
Colin P West1, Robert D Ficalora
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. west.colin@mayo.edu
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|August 4, 2007
Summary
Clinicians value biostatistics for evidence-based medicine (EBM) but feel their training is inadequate. Most believe improved statistical knowledge would benefit their careers, despite lacking confidence in applying statistical methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Biostatistics
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Biostatistics is crucial for evidence-based medicine (EBM) and clinical practice.
- Understanding clinician attitudes toward biostatistics is essential for improving medical training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess clinician attitudes toward biostatistics at an academic medical center.
- Evaluate the perceived adequacy of biostatistics training among medical professionals.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students, residents, and faculty.
- Data collected from 301 respondents at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in April 2005.
Main Results:
- 87.3% believed better biostatistics understanding would aid their careers, yet only 17.6% felt their training was adequate.
- Confidence in identifying correct statistical methods (23.3%), designing research (28.0%), and conducting analyses (14.6%) was low.
- Higher statistical education and research experience correlated with greater self-reported skills (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Clinicians recognize the importance of biostatistics for EBM but perceive their training as insufficient.
- There is a significant gap between the perceived value of biostatistics and the confidence in applying statistical skills among clinicians.
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