MMI 409 Biostatistics and Medical Informatics
Key Artifacts:
Syllabus
Syllabus
Reflection
Learning Goal:
· Biomedical applications of topics discussed i.e., descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, t-tests, chi-squared test, analysis of variance, etc.
I had put off taking this class for a long time because of my irrational fear of not doing well in the class. So it was very comforting when I looked up the syllabus and saw one of the texts titled Statistics for the Terrified by John Kranzler. Finally, a book I could relate to! I had taken Statistics in the past and I remember it as mostly memorizing the formulas and plugging in numbers. Interpretation of the answers was not really necessary.
On our first day of class, Dr. Gershon assured us that memorization of the formulas were not necessary. We were encouraged to lease SPSS, a software designed for statistical analysis. Somehow, I was a little disappointed that no formulas would be memorized. However, I looked forward to learning how to analyze and interpret statistical data. The weekly Readiness Assessment Tests (RATS) were challenging but when the answers were discussed in class, made sense. Basic terms like mean, mode, median, and were never far from my mind thanks to having children in school. I got reacquainted with standard deviation, random sampling, variance and variability. Through this class I learned what procedure test to do based on what we want to know, what information we have available, how many samples are involved, what are the assumptions and what type of sampling is there. I also learned the difference between descriptive (summarize the data set quantitatively i.e, mean, mode, median, range, variability and standard deviation)and inferential statistics (use the results from a sample to make assumptions about the population).
As a budding Informaticist, I was extremely excited with the ease of using SPSS. I could see myself becoming familiar with the software and using it as a tool to interpret patient outcomes for our organization. Statistics is a very important part of my work as a Case Manager. Through it we learn about the mortality rate, the healthcare expenditures, life expectancy and patient outcomes. We learn which patient population are over-utilizing or under-utilizing healthcare services. Referral and prescription behaviors among providers are tracked and analyzed. Statistics also help identify patients who are at risk for certain diseases. By doing so we are able to apply the appropriate intervention (disease management or referral to a specialist) and reduce readmissions.
Statistics play an important role in healthcare delivery as a whole. Knowing healthcare trends and having the ability to track outbreaks, predict or forecast potential health care issues help providers design an intervention and adapt certain measures to stop it from spreading or happening again. These in turn help improve the quality of care delivery and curb down the cost of healthcare. After taking this class, I have a better appreciation of our monthly stats meeting and a heightened understanding of the significance of statistics in healthcare.
· Biomedical applications of topics discussed i.e., descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, t-tests, chi-squared test, analysis of variance, etc.
I had put off taking this class for a long time because of my irrational fear of not doing well in the class. So it was very comforting when I looked up the syllabus and saw one of the texts titled Statistics for the Terrified by John Kranzler. Finally, a book I could relate to! I had taken Statistics in the past and I remember it as mostly memorizing the formulas and plugging in numbers. Interpretation of the answers was not really necessary.
On our first day of class, Dr. Gershon assured us that memorization of the formulas were not necessary. We were encouraged to lease SPSS, a software designed for statistical analysis. Somehow, I was a little disappointed that no formulas would be memorized. However, I looked forward to learning how to analyze and interpret statistical data. The weekly Readiness Assessment Tests (RATS) were challenging but when the answers were discussed in class, made sense. Basic terms like mean, mode, median, and were never far from my mind thanks to having children in school. I got reacquainted with standard deviation, random sampling, variance and variability. Through this class I learned what procedure test to do based on what we want to know, what information we have available, how many samples are involved, what are the assumptions and what type of sampling is there. I also learned the difference between descriptive (summarize the data set quantitatively i.e, mean, mode, median, range, variability and standard deviation)and inferential statistics (use the results from a sample to make assumptions about the population).
As a budding Informaticist, I was extremely excited with the ease of using SPSS. I could see myself becoming familiar with the software and using it as a tool to interpret patient outcomes for our organization. Statistics is a very important part of my work as a Case Manager. Through it we learn about the mortality rate, the healthcare expenditures, life expectancy and patient outcomes. We learn which patient population are over-utilizing or under-utilizing healthcare services. Referral and prescription behaviors among providers are tracked and analyzed. Statistics also help identify patients who are at risk for certain diseases. By doing so we are able to apply the appropriate intervention (disease management or referral to a specialist) and reduce readmissions.
Statistics play an important role in healthcare delivery as a whole. Knowing healthcare trends and having the ability to track outbreaks, predict or forecast potential health care issues help providers design an intervention and adapt certain measures to stop it from spreading or happening again. These in turn help improve the quality of care delivery and curb down the cost of healthcare. After taking this class, I have a better appreciation of our monthly stats meeting and a heightened understanding of the significance of statistics in healthcare.
