Current status of medical researchers’ understanding of P value

ObjectiveTo explore the understanding degree of medical students, researchers, and medical statistics teachers on P value in statistics and its related factors, so as to provide references for the improvement of medical statistics teaching.MethodsConvenience sampling method was used to distribute 175 questionnaires through the online platform questionnaire star (Wenjuanxing). Based on case study, the questionnaire was designed with 6 true-or-false questions about P values. Accuracy rate of understanding on P value by medical students, researchers and professional teachers was evaluated through questionnaire survey. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the related factors affecting the understanding of P value.ResultsA total of 170 questionnaires were collected, with 50 from the medical students, 98 from the researchers, and 22 from the professional teachers, respectively. The results indicated that the professional teachers had the highest accuracy rate (89.5%), whereas the medical students had a relatively low accuracy rate (31.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with a doctoral degree, compared to those with a bachelor’s degree or below, had a higher accuracy rate (OR=2.10, 95%CI: 1.18‒3.76, P=0.012). Additionally, researchers who had received training in medical statistics (OR=4.20, 95%CI: 2.23‒7.93, P<0.001) or medical research design courses (OR=2.40, 95%CI:1.33‒4.33, P=0.004) exhibited higher accuracy rates.ConclusionMedical students and researchers generally have misunderstandings about P values. It is recommended to improve the understanding about P values, such as strengthening medical statistics teaching at the academic education levels, setting up medical research design courses, increasing student-led discussions, and intensifying continuing education and science popularization activities.