Plastic Surgery Residents' Understanding and Attitudes Toward Biostatistics: A National Survey

An Interactive Module to Teach Common Biostatistical Tests to Learners in the Health Professions

Biostatistics are ubiquitous in medicine, providing quantitative insights into trials and experiments that shape the healthcare field. Despite training in evidence-based medicine, medical students and residents struggle to master biostatistical concepts and apply biostatistics to appraise research. There are limited resources available for students to quickly and cost-effectively learn biostatistical tests. From this problem, a two-part biostatistical educational module was created using Rise Articulate 360® software, an interactive module platform. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educational biostatistics module's ability to improve learners' knowledge and application of commonly used biostatistical tests, as well as their confidence in biostatistics. Each part of the module contained five biostatistical test tutorials. Each biostatistical test was explained, as well as how the test was typically applied in healthcare. Knowledge acquisition, test application, and confidence regarding biostatistical tests were assessed using a pretest and a posttest. The module was completed by 33 first- and second-year medical students.  Knowledge acquisition improved from a mean of 2.41 to 3.53 (P <= 0.001). Participants expressed that the biostatistical educational module was easy to use and improved both their confidence and knowledge of specific biostatistical tests. Most students found that the biostatistical educational module applied to their future work. In summary, our module was successful in exposing learners in the health professions to commonly used biostatistical tests and tests' applications to the medical literature and their future research. Biostatistics is a pillar of medical research and education, and students' mastery of the concept will prove to be of longitudinal valuable, whether they pursue careers as clinicians and/or researchers.

Knowledge and confidence level of Canadian urology residents toward biostatistics: A national survey

INTRODUCTION

Adequate knowledge of biostatistics is essential for healthcare providers to stay up to date with medical advances and maintain an evidence-based practice. However, training in clinical research in Canadian residency programs varies considerably. Our study aimed to determine Canadian urology trainees' knowledge of biostatistics and interpretation of the scientific literature.

METHODS

We conducted a national survey of all Canadian urology residents and fellows, which assessed experiences with biostatistics, self-reported confidence with statistical questions, and knowledge of biostatistical concepts.

RESULTS

Out of 201 urology trainees, 74 (36.8%) responded to the survey. The majority of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the fact that they had sufficient training in biostatistics in medical school (67.6%) or that their current knowledge was sufficient for the rest of their career (66.1%). If given the chance, 82.3% of respondents would like to learn more about biostatistics. About half of respondents were able to correctly identify ordinal variables (51.5%), discrete variables (52.9%), or interpret adjusted odds ratios (50.0%). Despite senior residents reporting more confidence on biostatistical questions, our results did not demonstrate significant differences in overall knowledge according to level of training or experience with biostatistics.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results identified important knowledge gaps among current Canadian urology trainees. Most trainees do not believe they have sufficient training in biostatistics. Knowledge of basic statistical concepts was lower than expected and did not significantly differ according to level of training. Our results highlight the need for structured, dedicated training in biostatistics for urology trainees within the new Competence by Design teaching framework.

Plastic Surgery Training and the Problematic Resident: A Survey of Plastic Surgery Program Directors

INTRODUCTION

Plastic surgery resident education is a significant commitment by both programs and residents. Unfortunately, problematic resident behavior may occur and be difficult to manage. This study was designed to survey plastic surgery program directors to elucidate their experience with problematic resident behavior.

METHODS

A electronic survey was prepared using the online platform, qualtrics. The survey was distributed by email to all plastic surgery program directors. Questions were designed to evaluate frequency of problematic behavior and methods to manage the behaviors. A reminder was sent 3 weeks after initial distribution. Responses were collected for an additional 3 weeks. Responses were pooled separately for integrated and independent program directors.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight program directors responded including 10 independent and 28 integrated program directors. Integrated and independent program directors estimated prevalence of problematic behavior at 17.5 ± 14.4% and 11.8 ± 7.9%, respectively. Poor clinical skills/judgment and unprofessional behavior were the most commonly reported problematic behaviors by integrated program directors at 21% each. These were also the most commonly reported behaviors by independent program directors at 20.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Fourteen integrated program directors and 5 independent program directors reported having dismissed a resident. Only 5 integrated and 2 independent program directors reported warning signs in hindsight during the resident's initial application. Nine integrated program directors and 4 independent program directors reported at least sometimes reviewing applicant social media accounts.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of problematic behavior is estimated between 10% and 20% of plastic surgery residents. Type of problematic behavior are similar between integrated and independent residents. Warning signs on initial application are uncommon. As such, understanding problematic behaviors and methods to manage them are essential.