Mirjam A. Jenny|Niklas Keller|Gerd Gigerenzer
Assessing minimal medical statistical literacy using the Quick Risk Test: a prospective observational study in Germany
Max Planck Institute for Human Development|Harding University Main Campus|Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin|Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin|Freie Universität Berlin|Max Planck Institute for Human Development|Harding University Main Campus
objectives assess minimal medical statistical literacy medical students senior educators using 10item quick risk test assess whether deficits statistical literacy stable reduced training design prospective observational study students observational study university lecturers setting charit university medicine medical curriculum students continuing medical education cme course german university senior educators participants 169 students taking part compulsory finalyear curricular training medical statistical literacy 63 female median age 25 years sixteen professors medicine senior educators attending cme course medical statistical literacy 44 female age range3065 years interventions students completed 90 min training session medical statistical literacy intervention senior educators outcome measures primary outcome measure number correct answers four multiplechoice alternatives per item quick risk test results finalyear students answered average half median50 questions correctly senior educators answered threequarters correctly median75 comparison chance performance 25 90 min training session students increased median percentage correct 50 90 82 participants improved performance conclusions medical students educators master basic concepts medical statistics quickly assessed quick risk test fact 90 min training session medical statistical literacy improves students understanding 50 90 indicates problem hardwired inability understand statistical concepts gap physicians education longlasting effects even senior medical educators could answer 75 questions correctly average hence medical students professionals receive enhanced training interpret riskrelated medical statistics