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what's your experience?
thx
thx
random q: do you need prob/statistics in med school?
- Thread starter j-med
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They assume that lots of students haven't studied those subjects, so they teach epidemiology at a very low level. So, no.
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Well here is what I think. I took stats 1 & 2 in college since it was required for my major.
1) The only time we have discussed statistics was during epidemiology and evidence based medicine. Both of these courses covered all the basic principles since not everyone in my class had stats previously. I dont think that stats is necessary for med school however it may have helped me in these courses.
2) Statistics will help you understand and interpret medical literature, however this can be learned over time.
3) If you are interested in research in medical school understanding of statistics might help you analyze the data, however you are usually never alone and your mentor would help.
1) The only time we have discussed statistics was during epidemiology and evidence based medicine. Both of these courses covered all the basic principles since not everyone in my class had stats previously. I dont think that stats is necessary for med school however it may have helped me in these courses.
2) Statistics will help you understand and interpret medical literature, however this can be learned over time.
3) If you are interested in research in medical school understanding of statistics might help you analyze the data, however you are usually never alone and your mentor would help.
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Our biostats class started from the beginning, but people who'd had stats before were a lot more successful.
That said, I think it's debatable whether or not you need probability/statistics for med school, but you definitely need that knowledge to be a doctor.
For example, if your patient gets a positive result on a test, what does that do to your management? You have to know what the sensitivity and specificity of the test are AND what that means. Such as, how likely is it that your patient actually has the disease you tested for?
You also need familiarity with prob/stat concepts to evaluate research findings you'll be reading about and incorporate them into your practice. (And explain to your patients why the report they heard on CNN isn't exactly accurate.)
That said, I think it's debatable whether or not you need probability/statistics for med school, but you definitely need that knowledge to be a doctor.
For example, if your patient gets a positive result on a test, what does that do to your management? You have to know what the sensitivity and specificity of the test are AND what that means. Such as, how likely is it that your patient actually has the disease you tested for?
You also need familiarity with prob/stat concepts to evaluate research findings you'll be reading about and incorporate them into your practice. (And explain to your patients why the report they heard on CNN isn't exactly accurate.)
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similar to other med school topics (A and P, micro, immuno, etc), having taken the class before will make life easier, however you should get some basic statistics background in med school to allow you to better understand medical literature.
my personal opinion however is that stat is a powerful tool and that all science and social science majors should require the course.
my personal opinion however is that stat is a powerful tool and that all science and social science majors should require the course.
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It helps a lot for Epidemiology if you've had stats before, but it's definitely not crucial.
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