title: Plastic Surgery Residents' Understanding and Attitudes Toward Biostatistics: A National Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An understanding of biostatistics is a critical skill for the practicing plastic surgeon. The purpose of the present study was to assess plastic surgery residents' attitudes and understanding of biostatistics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of plastic surgery residents. A survey assessing resident attitudes regarding biostatistics, confidence with biostatistical concepts, and objective knowledge of biostatistics was distributed electronically to trainees in plastic surgery programs in the United States. Bivariate and regression analyses were used to identify significant associations and adjust for confounders/effect modifiers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty-three residents responded to the survey (12.3% response rate). Respondents expressed positive attitudes regarding biostatistics in plastic surgery practice, but only moderate levels of confidence with various biostatistical concepts. Both attitudes and confidence were positively associated with the number of plastic surgery journals read monthly and formal coursework in biostatistics (P < 0.01). Resident attitudes were positively correlated with confidence (r = 0.33, P < 0.01). The mean percentage of correct responses on knowledge-assessments was 43.6% (20.8%). Integrated residents performed better than independent track residents (P = 0.04). Residents had difficulty with study design, the correct use of analysis of variance, regression analysis, and identifying a statistically significant result. Resident confidence was moderately correlated with performance (r = 0.31, P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plastic surgery residents place a high degree of importance on knowledge of biostatistics in the practice of plastic surgery but have only a fair understanding of core statistical concepts.
authors: From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD; †Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; and ‡Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Srinivas M
authors: SM
authors: Susarla
authors: Scott D
authors: SD
authors: Lifchez
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Losee
authors: Charles Scott
authors: CS
authors: Hultman
authors: Richard J
authors: RJ
authors: Redett
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D056808:Biostatistics; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States