Kamal Kishore, Sharma Meenakshi, Rahul Mahajan, Rakesh Kapoor, Koushal Vipin
Department of Biostatistics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Department of Community Medicine and SPH, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 May;11(5):2051-2055. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1653_21. Epub 2022 May 14.
Data collection and statistical analysis are integral components of research. The beauty of statistics lies in its ability to evaluate evidence in the face of uncertainty. However, lack of dedicated biostatistical consultation units, rote academic teaching and training lead to poor statistical analysis. Thus, we aim to explore and understand the challenges of establishing a Biostatistics Clinic (BC) in a tertiary care research institute. A secondary aim is to identify the stage of research at which participants approach biostatisticians.
The data for the current study came from a consultancy unit named as "Biostatistics Clinic" in the department of biostatistics from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. The residents and students who approached the department of biostatistics for consultancy regarding study design, sample size, statistical analysis and other analytical work were the sampling units.
A total of 208 residents and students made 404 visits to biostatistics clinic. The male and female visits were 118 (56.7%) and 90 (43.5%), respectively. Majority of visitors approached for data analysis (171; 75%) followed by study design and sample size calculation for protocol preparation (43; 18.9%). Leading reference to approach the biostatistics clinic was through a faculty (91; 43.8%) followed by self (54; 26%).
Despite the thrust and apparent advantages of contacting statistician at the beginning of the study, majority approached only at the data analysis stage. Therefore, repeated and improved efforts are required to spread the message of approaching statistician early.
数据收集和统计分析是研究不可或缺的组成部分。统计学的魅力在于其在面对不确定性时评估证据的能力。然而，缺乏专门的生物统计学咨询单位、机械的学术教学和培训导致统计分析水平较差。因此，我们旨在探索并了解在一家三级医疗研究机构中建立生物统计学诊所（BC）所面临的挑战。第二个目标是确定参与者向生物统计学家咨询的研究阶段。
本研究的数据来自印度昌迪加尔医学教育与研究研究生院（PGIMER）生物统计学系的一个名为“生物统计学诊所”的咨询单位。向生物统计学系咨询研究设计、样本量、统计分析及其他分析工作的住院医师和学生为抽样单位。
共有208名住院医师和学生前往生物统计学诊所404次。男性就诊118次（56.7%），女性就诊90次（43.5%）。大多数来访者是为了数据分析而来（171次；75%），其次是为了研究设计和方案准备的样本量计算（43次；18.9%）。前往生物统计学诊所的主要推荐途径是通过教员（91次；43.8%），其次是自行前往（54次；26%）。
尽管在研究开始时联系统计学家有其重要性和明显优势，但大多数人仅在数据分析阶段才寻求咨询。因此，需要反复并加大力度宣传尽早联系统计学家的信息。
