Influencing factors on learning effects of statistical software for medical students at different levels

ObjectiveTo ascertain the learning status and influencing factors for medical statistical software among medical undergraduate and graduates and to provide a theoretical basis for improving teaching effect.

MethodsWith an individually designed questionnaire, including cognition, attitude and behaviors about medical statistics software course, an investigation was carried out on medical undergraduates and graduates.Then statistical analysis was conducted with SAS 9.4 statistical software.

ResultsUndergraduates and postgraduates both thought it was difficult to learn medical statistical software course.Postgraduates had more interests in it while undergraduates thought it was more helpful.Undergraduates liked to review before doing home work and postgraduates tended to read the material while completing their homework.Both undergraduates and postgraduates held that the primary influencing factors were the characteristics of curriculum itself, course arrangement, students′ behaviors, teachers′ teaching style and students learning attitude; the only difference between them was "whether there was the need to do homework after class".

ConclusionIt is necessary to propose strategy for improvement on the teaching effect, such as giving full play to the leading role of teachers, diversifying teaching styles, offering atypical cases in the world for undergraduates, correcting students′ understanding and attitude towards medical statistics, and increasing the interests and motivation of undergraduates.