Analyzing medical data--some statistical considerations.

Abstract

Noting that the heterogeneous and complicated nature of medical data places severe restrictions on its analysis, a discussion of the feasibility of establishing standard procedures for this analysis follows. It is pointed out that computational difficulties can be overcome by the use of a high-speed, large-memory computer; principles of mathematical statistics and their application to investigation of medical data are outlined, and the extent of medical data needed to furnish various levels of clinical information is discussed.