First course in biostatistics at medical faculties: Explaining the importance of biostatistics

Abstract

Statistics is a mandatory course in health sciences and in the fields of science and social sciences in Bachelor's Degree curricula. The aim of our study is: (i) to evaluate the effect of explaining the importance of Biostatistics to medical students with the support of visual materials, sample events and, detailed information from clinicians about the place they put Biostatistics in their professional lives, to arouse the interest and curiosity of students about Biostatistics, (ii) to evaluate students first predictions about Biostatistics, and (iii) to ensure to give the importance it deserves by the implementation of new compelling educational techniques. Three methods are performed to explain the importance of Biostatistics to three different student groups in the first class in medicine faculty, to see the impact of visual material, detailed information and sample events. One week later, three questions with a five-point Likert scale are administered to the students of each group. The applied scale's Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was 0.648. The reliability level of the applied scale may be expressed as intermediate level. Significant result was found between three groups. Educators must put 'experiences and practices' to the centre of learning in lessons and should improve their techniques to show students the importance of the subject. As the educational content is enhanced, so is the importance placed on Biostatistics.