Jakob's newly acquired knowledge of statistics improves the physiotherapy
"Since I am already working on some parallel projects that contain the specific analyzes that we have gone through, I have been able to apply these and gain a better understanding of what is required to do the analyzes in my own research projects. It has had a direct impact on my development and I understand the literature I read much better." says Jacob.
Jakob Lindskog became a physiotherapist 2.5 years ago and has since worked in primary care with sports injuries in Gothenburg. In parallel with the job, Jakob has also started to study courses at advanced level in order to take a master's degree in the subject. One of these courses has been "Quantitative method and biostatistics". The course provides knowledge in interpreting, understanding and evaluating medical statistics.
In addition to his regular duties as a physiotherapist, Jakob is also part of a research team at the workplace where they conduct research in the subject in parallel. It is in this project that he was able to put his newly acquired knowledge in statistics into practice immediately. Now he understands the importance of knowing his statistics.
Jakob says that he has always found numbers and mathematics easy. He studied a technical education at high school containing a lot of math and programming and he studied for a year at Chalmers before starting his training as a physiotherapist.
- Because of the technical side, I have a penchant for statistics, counting and keeping track of numbers.
But you don't have to be good at numbers to pass the course. Jakob's best advice for those students who find statistics difficult or boring is to try to see what value it can add to the care they will provide.
- Much of our progress in medicine and physiotherapy is based on being able to read and evaluate. If you can't understand the research being carried out, you're a bit behind, I'd say. You are at a disadvantage and I think it is important that you have a basic understanding of what types of tests compare what and what they actually say. Otherwise, there is a risk that one does not understand the research at all and either overinterprets or misinterprets the results.
In conclusion, Jakob would like to send a thought about the great value this course brings.
- Even though it can be a little discouraging for those studying medical subjects to work with statistics, I still think it is important to give yourself the chance to understand. To be able to make the care you provide better.
By: Peter Tjärndal