Brian B. Adams, M.D., M.P.H.
Telephone: 513-861-3100, extension 4515
E-mail: brianadams@pol.net Interests
Biostatistics
Study design
Practical application of biostatistics & study design
Teaching biostatistics and study design at the local and national levels
Epidemiology and biostatistics are the mainstay of identifying diseases and their effective therapies. Any study employs to some degree epidemiology. Proper study design is the critical first step in evaluating diseases and their therapies. Biostatistics aid in mathematically testing if observed results would have or not been expected by pure chance. Poorly designed studies cannot be saved by even the most complex of statistical tests.
Dermatologists need to understand the basis of epidemiology and biostatistics to read effectively and critically articles written in the literature. Few journals employ statisticians and epidemiologists so the reader must be ready to analyze the validity of the study. Also the American Board of Dermatology, the organization charged with developing the Dermatology Board examination, has committed to adding a substantial number of questions related to epidemiology and biostatistics.
The tools required for this task are included in the training dermatology residents receive at the University of Cincinnati. These tools are taught through active participation in biannual Grand Rounds dedicated to this topic, 3 hour Dermatology Round Table discussion sessions, small seminar sessions at the Veterans Administration Hospital Dermatology clinic, worksheets and Board Review sessions.
By the end of the residency training program, dermatology residents will have acquired all the tools necessary to analyze critically published works.
