Evaluation of biostatistics knowledge and skills of medical faculty students

Abstract

Successful implementation of a scientific study and correct analysis of data obtained is possible with advanced biostatistics knowledge. The aim of this study is to find out efficacy of basic biostatistics program given to medical faculty students and to evaluate students’ biostatistics knowledge, attitude and behaviour levels. Medical Faculty students in a Turkish university participated in this study. 123 of the respondents (52.6%) were male and 111 (47.4%) were female, with an average age of 20.2 ± 1.7 years. The survey used included items questioning demographic information, biostatistics knowledge, attitude and behaviours of students and 10 multiple choice questions including the subjects learned during the program. The students filled in this survey before and after training and data obtained were evaluated. Students’ positive responses to having biostatistics basic knowledge were 68.0% before training and 95.7% after training. The frequency of knowing the purpose of biostatistics was 81.5% before training and 96.6% after training. While the rate of positive response was 60.9% for population and sample, 63.2% for basic principles in summarizing data, 54.7% for central tendency-location measurements, 51.5% for variability measurements before training, they were found as 95% and higher after training. Positive responses of 70.8% for hypothesis and error types, 48.7% for statistical assumptions, 36.5% for parametric hypothesis tests, 33.0% for nonparametric hypothesis tests and 27.4% for statistical package programs before training were 93.6% and higher after training. Total score obtained from responses to multiple choice questions was 2.5±1.4 before training and 7.5±2.1 after training, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). In this study, biostatistics knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of medical faculty students were evaluated. Biostatistics training needs changes due to latest developments in information technology. Many medical faculties currently teach basic biostatistics concepts and carry out biostatistics training studies to allow critical evaluation during the process.