title: Probability, clinical decision making and hypothesis testing.
abstract: Few clinicians grasp the true concept of probability expressed in the 'P value.' For most, a statistically significant P value is the end of the search for truth. In fact, the opposite is the case. The present paper attempts to put the P value in proper perspective by explaining different types of probabilities, their role in clinical decision making, medical research and hypothesis testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune - 411018, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Jadhav
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bhawalkar