Clinicians’ Perceived Understanding of Biostatistical Results in the Medical Literature: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: The continuum of evidence-based medicine (EBM) depends solely on clinicians’ commitment to keep current with the latest clinical information. Exploration on clinicians’ understanding of biostatistical results in the medical literature is sparse to date. This study aimed to evaluate clinicians’ perceived understanding of biostatistical results in the medical literature and the factors influencing them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 clinicians at the Seberang Jaya Hospital, a cluster-lead research hospital in Northern Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire that consisted of items on sociodemographics, validated items on clinicians’ confidence level in interpreting statistical concepts, perceived understanding of biostatistics, and familiarity with different statistical methods were used. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results: Perceived understanding of biostatistical results among clinicians in our sample was nearly 75%. In the final regression model, perceived understanding was significantly higher among clinicians who were able to interpret p-values with complete confidence (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.1–8.1), clinicians who regularly encounter measures of central tendencies (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.2), and clinicians who regularly encounter inferential statistics (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.5) while appraising the medical literature. Conclusions: High perceived understanding was significantly associated with clinicians’ confidence in interpreting statistical concepts and familiarity with different statistical methods. Our findings form a platform to understand clinicians’ ability to appraise rigorous biostatistical results in the medical literature for the retrieval of evidence-based data to be used in routine clinical practice.

Evaluation of biostatistics knowledge and skills of medical faculty students

“…The most regularly encountered statistical concept was inferential statistics with 63.7%, which was followed by data organization with 58.7%, correlation and dispersion with 53.7%, measures of central tendency with 45.8%, measures of dispersion with 43.3%, and measuring scales with 33.8%. In this sample, nearly 75% of the clinicians stated that they understood biostatistical results (20). In Windish's (21) study, residents rated a mean of 4.2 or greater for the curriculum helping them understand study designs, interpret p value and CI, choose a statistical test to make comparisons, interpret the results of statistical tests and assess if the correct statistical procedure was used to answer a research question.…”

“…In a study by Polychronopoulou et al (18), 83.5% evaluated themselves as fairly to highly confident in interpreting p value, while 65.3% evaluated themselves as fairly to highly confident in understanding statistical methods and 78.7% evaluated themselves as fairly to highly confident in interpreting statistical analysis results in articles. In a survey study conducted on 201 clinicians in a research hospital in North Malaysia, it was found that 79.1% could interpret p value and 91.5% could interpret the statistical method used, 87.1% could identify the factors affecting the power of the study, while only 6% could evaluate the correct statistical procedure to be used in the study (20). The most regularly encountered statistical concept was inferential statistics with 63.7%, which was followed by data organization with 58.7%, correlation and dispersion with 53.7%, measures of central tendency with 45.8%, measures of dispersion with 43.3%, and measuring scales with 33.8%.…”

Overview of statistical methods usage in Indian anaesthesia publications

“…It is often noted that understanding and correctly applying biostatistical methods is difficult for clinicians. [ 2 5 14 15 ]…”

Analysis of Statistical Knowledge of Peruvian Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study Based on a Survey

“…However, despite the growing awareness of the importance of education in this discipline, scientific research has found that medical students have poor comprehension of common statistical tests and a limited ability to interpret study results. Worldwide, an adequate understanding of the analysis and results interpretation of scientific papers occurs in less than half of students and health professionals [7][8][9][10][11].…”