Is the p-value properly interpreted by critical care professionals? Online survey

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for insufficient knowledge related to p-values among critical care physicians and respiratory therapists in Argentina.

Methods:

This cross-sectional online survey contained 25 questions about respondents’ characteristics, self-perception and p-value knowledge (theory and practice). Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results:

Three hundred seventy-six respondents were analyzed. Two hundred thirty-seven respondents (63.1%) did not know about p-values. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, a lack of training on scientific research methodology (adjusted OR 2.50; 95%CI 1.37 - 4.53; p = 0.003) and the amount of reading (< 6 scientific articles per year; adjusted OR 3.27; 95%CI 1.67 - 6.40; p = 0.001) were found to be independently associated with the respondents’ lack of p-value knowledge.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of insufficient knowledge regarding p-values among critical care physicians and respiratory therapists in Argentina was 63%. A lack of training on scientific research methodology and the amount of reading (< 6 scientific articles per year) were found to be independently associated with the respondents’ lack of p-value knowledge.

Keywords:
Biostatistics; Biomedical research/statistics & numerical data; Data interpretation, statistical; Hypothesis testing; Evidence-based medicine; Prevalence