Laurie Moseley

Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics

Strong quantitative research methods are one of the patient’s strongest safeguards against dangerous bias and prejudice on the part of researchers. In addition, the evidence that algorithmic decision making outperforms ‘clinical’ or other human decision making by a fair margin is very strong. It is therefore sad that statistics are so feared by students, and in general are not well taught. Most books are sound on the elementary parts of statistics, but start to become difficult when more abstract concepts are covered. This book is in that tradition.

Fine tuning the day surgery process

IT IS NOW recognised that the patient’s perspective is important in the planning and evaluation of health care. In no other area of health service delivery is this more appropriate than the field of day surgery. Less than three hours after having a general anaesthetic for what could still be considered a significant surgical procedure, the patient is discharged, and the responsibility for care is transferred to him or her and his or her family. For many patients, the day surgery experience runs a smooth course. Yet for others, not feeling well enough to return home on the same day, episodes of severe pain once discharged, lack of primary care support, and inadequate and informal social support at home appear to be major problems.