Best Practices for Biostatistical Consultation and Collaboration in Academic Health Centers

Abstract

Given the increasing level and scope of biostatistics expertise needed at academic health centers today, we developed best practices guidelines for biostatistics units to be more effective in providing biostatistical support to their institutions, and in fostering an environment in which unit members can thrive professionally. Our recommendations focus on the key areas of: 1) funding sources and mechanisms; 2) providing and prioritizing access to biostatistical resources; and 3) interacting with investigators. We recommend that the leadership of biostatistics units negotiate for sufficient long-term infrastructure support to ensure stability and continuity of funding for personnel, align project budgets closely with actual level of biostatistical effort, devise and consistently apply strategies for prioritizing and tracking effort on studies, and clearly stipulate with investigators prior to project initiation policies regarding funding, lead time, and authorship.

Statistical competencies for medical research learners: What is fundamental?

“…A team science approach for biostatistics is described in the study by Perkins et al . [ 14 ]. Many of the competencies we describe focus on the learner’s understanding and appreciation for activities carried out by the statistician on the team.…”

How‐to guide for effectively performing and coordinating multicenter observational research as a clinical pharmacist

“…Finally, many of our colleagues with this expertise are receptive to a personalized email invitation to discuss the project and their role as the project's biostatistician at this early step in the process. Because it is imperative to have at least one individual on the research team with significant statistical training and/or experience, and the market rate for a biostatistician is often approximately $100/hour, each of these strategies is worth considering . If one of the Co‐PIs possesses significant statistical expertise and will bring those capabilities to the project, the other Co‐PI should expect to perform many of the other project tasks to facilitate this arrangement.…”

What makes a biostatistician?

“…A biostatistician should have a clear concept of high‐quality biostatistics and take the responsibility to promoting it: by providing leadership for a working group or in a department, by negotiating for good infrastructure regarding the biostatistics unit in the employing organization (for example, at a pharmaceutical company or university), and by accepting an office in professional associations to improve research conditions. Gibson refers to statistical leadership as “the key to successfully influencing multidisciplinary research.” The increasingly diverse scope for research demands for biostatistical skills results in the need to build a stable and sustainable biostatistics unit with administrative and financial burdens for the lead biostatistician to manage . Some competencies required for this role are organizational skills, people skills, efficiency, sense of responsibility, skilful negotiation, and assertiveness.…”