Abstract Details
Activity Number:
|
435
|
Type:
|
Contributed
|
Date/Time:
|
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
|
Sponsor:
|
Section on Teaching of Statistics in the Health Sciences
|
Abstract - #309716 |
Title:
|
Teaching Medical Students to Communicate Uncertainty
|
Author(s):
|
Philip Sedgwick*+ and Katherine Joekes and Angela Hall
|
Companies:
|
St. George's, University of London and St. George's, University of London and St. George's, University of London
|
Keywords:
|
Teaching ;
Medical students ;
Communication ;
Statistical information ;
Risk
|
Abstract:
|
Statistics is core to the medical curriculum. Teaching focuses on probability, risk and making population inferences based on uncertainty. However, application will ultimately be to a patient. Therefore, doctors must communicate such information effectively for patients to be fully informed. Traditionally, little time has been given to teaching these skills in the UK curriculum. Summary: This presentation describes methods integrated into statistics teaching, used to raise students' awareness of challenges in communicating statistical information. One exercise involves students rating as a percentage nine commonly used qualitative descriptors of risk, in relation to a child being born with Down syndrome. For a recent cohort (n=104), results included "Rarely": mean(SD)=10.4%(7.1%), range=0 to 100%; & "Probably": 72.9%(10.9%), range=0 to 100%. Videos of patients describing their experiences are effective teaching tools. Group discussions encourage awareness of how statistics may be best communicated. Message: In the International Year of Statistics, it is vital that students are made aware of challenges in communicating statistical information.
|
Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.
Back to the full JSM 2013 program
|
2013 JSM Online Program Home
For information, contact jsm@amstat.org or phone (888) 231-3473.
If you have questions about the Continuing Education program, please contact the Education Department.
The views expressed here are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the JSM sponsors, their officers, or their staff.
Copyright © American Statistical Association.