ATTITUDES TOWARD BIOSTATISTICS AMONG POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN KISHANGANJ, BIHAR

Background: Biostatistics is a basic and vital tool for medical as well as allied science research. In medical education, biostatistics is taught at undergraduate level without emphasis on its practical aspects and applications. Biostatistics is perceived as important elements of EBM (Evidence Based Medicine). AIMS: Study was done to assess attitude of post-graduate medical students of various disciplines towards biostatistics and also to suggest effective measures to improve understanding of biostatistics. Materials & Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study, performed in M.G.M.M.C & L.S.K Hospital, Kishanganj, from Oct.-2013 to Nov.-2013. A total of 257 post-graduate medical students of various disciplines were selected. They were provided printed structured questionnaire containing questions addressing perceptions regarding biostatistics in general, statistical knowledge and training, the role of biostatistics in Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) & clinical research. Statistical Analysis: This was done in percentage/ proportion, chi-square test. RESULTS: Out of 346 eligible participants, 257 responded to the survey. 231 (89.88%) believed that biostatistics is important for their career (P<0.001). 182 (70.81%) believed that biostatistics is difficult to understand, 187 (72.76%) had inadequate knowledge as per present need. Conclusion: Post-graduate medical students have low perceived knowledge of biostatistical concepts. Integrated approaches that demonstrate how biostatistics can effect patient care decisions may be more