• Event type: Digital learning platform
• Facilities:
  Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology
• Funding period: 01.09.2024 to 30.09.2025
• Short title: EBM 2.0

The EBM 2.0 project

The aim of the project is to expand the EpiBioManual with the additional modality of videos on basic concepts of biostatistics and to extend the conceptual knowledge conveyed in the EpiBioManual with procedural knowledge in dealing with statistical software. Specifically, the following goals exist:

• Creation of 5 to 10 videos on basic concepts of biostatistics
• Inclusion of statistical software in the EpiBioManual. In addition to the statistical content already presented, students should receive instructions on how to apply the methods in software. This should be done in the SPSS software most frequently used by medical students
• Students should be given the opportunity to learn the basics of programming in R. For this purpose, code snippets for basic statistical methods are explained and illustrated using examples

_{National Cancer Institute / unsplash}

Review and results

The EpiBioManual has created a learning platform that students of human medicine and dentistry enjoy using to explore the topics of biostatistics and epidemiology. This is evidenced by both the usage statistics during class time and the evaluations at the end of the semester. Students find it particularly helpful to be able to test their own knowledge using exercises and to access links to technical terms in the explanatory texts, which is only possible in digital form. Due to the complexity of the concepts, additional videos are intended to offer students another opportunity to learn the content.

In the future, this option will be further promoted so that this asynchronous support offering reaches more students and doctoral candidates at the UKE. In addition to the UKE's own students, the project has also been presented at specialist conferences, so that the EpiBioManual is also being used at other locations. The learning platform was also received with interest by colleagues from other locations. Thanks to its digital form, we have also achieved our goal of making this content available in the long term.

Data Literacy Education and the EpiBioManual

The contents of the EpiBioManual begin with the diagnosis of diseases and the aspects that must be taken into account when interpreting the corresponding probabilities. It then covers topics that are relevant in therapeutic intervention studies and observational studies, with a particular focus on possible sources of bias and the basic principles of evidence-based medicine. This focus was chosen because it is essential for medical professionals to see themselves as lifelong learners in order to be able to integrate the rapid advances in medical research into patient care.

In addition to the more theoretical content, students are also trained in the competent handling of data. In related classroom sessions, students conducted their own data collection, which they used to answer questions they had developed themselves. The EpiBioManual is designed to help students consolidate the content from the classroom sessions and offer additional practice opportunities. With the addition of a software section on SPSS, students are also supported in gaining a sound introduction to independent data analysis using statistical software. A particular focus in this section is on the assumptions of the different methods and their critical review.

Persons involved

Christian Wiessner M. Sc.

Research assistant

Focal points:

• Teaching courses in biometrics, epidemiology and scientific work in human medicine and dentistry
• Development of scientific curriculum in dentistry
• Coordination of the EpiBioManual
• Main research areas: Epidemiology, medical care research, survey research

 

Contact

Lina Holstein

Research student assistant

Focal points:

• Realisation of the EpiBioManual
• Creation of content (texts, graphics, quizzes, etc.)
• Development and technical implementation of the website in Wordpress
• Support in research projects in the fields of biometrics and epidemiology

Prof. Dr. Antonia Zapf

Institute Director

Focal points:

• Conception and realisation of courses in biometrics, epidemiology and scientific work in human medicine and dentistry
• Support for the EpiBioManual
• Main areas of research: Biometrics, diagnostic studies, clinical studies

Contact