Views: 1,492 | Downloads:
30
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Doctors' Statistical Literacy : A Survey at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University
Laopaiboon M 
,
Lumbiganon P ,
Walter SD
,
Lumbiganon P ,
Walter SD Medical doctors need to keep abreast of new developments in medicine. This is often done
by reading medical journals and carrying out research activities that require an understanding of
statistical methods. This study was designed to assess the knowledge of statistics among doctors in
Thailand. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire with nine multiple-choice questions on basic
statistical issues was used. In a survey of university hospital staff, there were 365 doctors, including
156 specialists, 152 residents and 57 final year medical students (ex terns). The overall response rate
was 40.0 per cent. The overall median number of correct answers was 4.0 (95% CI 3.0, 4.0). Specialists
had a significantly higher median score, 4.0 than residents, and externs, 3.0's, (p = 0.02).
Respondents who had previously attended statistical workshops had a significantly higher median
score (5.0) than those who had not (3.0) (p < 0.01). These results indicate that doctors in our hospital
have insufficient knowledge of the basic statistical concepts that are commonly used in medical
journals. Continuing education in statistics for doctors during residency and post doctoral training
must be given serious consideration.
by reading medical journals and carrying out research activities that require an understanding of
statistical methods. This study was designed to assess the knowledge of statistics among doctors in
Thailand. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire with nine multiple-choice questions on basic
statistical issues was used. In a survey of university hospital staff, there were 365 doctors, including
156 specialists, 152 residents and 57 final year medical students (ex terns). The overall response rate
was 40.0 per cent. The overall median number of correct answers was 4.0 (95% CI 3.0, 4.0). Specialists
had a significantly higher median score, 4.0 than residents, and externs, 3.0's, (p = 0.02).
Respondents who had previously attended statistical workshops had a significantly higher median
score (5.0) than those who had not (3.0) (p < 0.01). These results indicate that doctors in our hospital
have insufficient knowledge of the basic statistical concepts that are commonly used in medical
journals. Continuing education in statistics for doctors during residency and post doctoral training
must be given serious consideration.
Download:
PDF