Improving biostatistical support in a resource-constrained academic health sciences institution through 360-degree feedback
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20853/40-1-6534Keywords:
optimizing biostatistical services, one-on-one consultations, academic health sciences institution, biostatistical training, resource-constrained environmentAbstract
A comprehensive biostatistical support service was established in a resource-constrained health sciences institution in sub-Saharan Africa in order to enhance its research.
A 360-degree feedback survey was used to evaluate the perceptions of consultees and consultants on one-on-one biostatistics consultations in this constrained setting.
Self-administered, online surveys with closed and open-ended questions were distributed to health sciences students and academic staff. A separate questionnaire was compiled for the biostatistics consultants. Responses were received from 361 consultees and 23 consultants following one-on-one biostatistical consultations. Consultations had positively assisted with understanding the direction of the research (64.3%). Both consultees and consultants concurred on the views expressed of the expectations, perspectives and weaknesses of the consultations. The level of statistical knowledge and technical skills of the biostatisticians was commended. Consultants mentioned difficulties in understanding the medical terminology of the consultees and the problem of explaining complex statistical concepts to the consultees. Recommendations from this 360-degree survey emphasizes the need to capacitate junior consultants in consultancy skills and in a basic biomedical subject, as expansion of biostatistics support in resource-constrained environments around the globe is not always possible.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Elena Libhaber, Beverley Kramer, Mellisa Mabhikwa, Jonathan Levin, Maria Papathanasopoulos, Innocent maposa
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