Communicatie van medische statistiek: de communicatie tussen medicus en statistiek*

Abstract

SummaryAn understanding of the principles of statistics is possible as well as necessary for every physician. Such an understanding enables the research worker in the medical field to carry out research efficiently and to analyse its results objectively; it can assist the medical practitioner in evaluating and interpreting the scientific literature. As, however, in The Netherlands statistics are at present only taught incidentally to medical students, the communication between statistics and physicians leaves much to be desired.In 1962 the World Health Organization organized a symposion on the teaching of statistics to undergraduate medical students in Europe. On the basis of recommendations resulting from this symposion, some directives are given about the way in which this teaching might be carried out in The Netherlands. Also, attention is paid to the function of a department of medical statistics in the process of improving the communication between statistics and physicians.