Awareness and attitude towards applications of biostatistics by the healthcare professionals in their decision making in north Karnataka, India

Background & Aim: The objective of our study was to find out the awareness, inclination and desire to apply the biostatistics as a tool in their areas of work by healthcare professionals.
Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study was done using self-administered, validated questionnaire, among the faculty, resident doctors and internees of medical college, physiotherapy college, dental college and nursing college. Study was done in North Karnataka, India, during 2012-13.
Out of a total of 500 questionnaires that were distributed among participants, only 460 questionnaires were received with a dropout rate of 8%. The response rate was 92%. Most of the respondents believed that the biostatistics is more difficult than other subjects of medical sciences. The total mean perception of knowledge scores was 21.2 ± 4.26 and total mean attitude scores was 33.4 ± 6.78 and were statistically significant (P The study has brought out the fact that “biostatistics” is a difficult subject, more of mathematics and is best left to experts. However the respondents have felt “biostatistics” an important part of evidence based medicine and a necessary skill for healthcare professional.