The Biostatistics Key Function of the CTSI provides basic statistical and epidemiological support to translational research. Investigators performing translational research at any of the partner institutions are invited and encouraged to use this key function to help with study design and analysis. The current services of the biostatistics key function include a drop-in statistical consulting service, a more extensive statistical consulting service, review and assistance with preparation of proposals for the translational research units (TRU), an epidemiological data service, and a series of basic statistical educational activities.
Biostatistical support for the CTSI is primarily provided by faculty and staff of the MCW Division of Biostatistics and its Biostatistics Consulting Service (BCS). The BCS operates a drop-in consulting service daily at MCW and alternating Mondays at Marquette and the VA. The service is available:
Staff is available to answer statistical questions, help formulate study ideas, interpret statistical methods in papers, and answer statistical computing questions. Last year the drop in service saw over 100 clients.
The Biostatistics consulting service provides statistical consulting on study design and analysis by appointment. The faculty and staff statisticians have extensive experience in providing this service. In the last year we have worked with over 140 investigators from every department at MCW, as well as from a number of Marquette, VA, and UWM departments. BCS staff helps investigators with statistical support for many grant applications. One of the BCS statisticians is assigned to each of the TRU’s to help with protocol preparation and review. The BCS provides a number of free hours to all investigators, which covers most projects. Appointment application form.
The Biostatistics Key Function supports the Epidemiology Data Service (EDS). This service assists investigators in locating, acquiring, and using secondary data sets. The EDS is a member of the national Center for Heath Statistics Data Dissemination Program, and it also maintains ties with other national, state, local, and private health agencies. The current collection includes over 200 secondary databases on topics such as health behaviors, vital events, ambulatory care, inpatient care, long-term care, and medical expenditures. The collection also contains demographic data from the U. S. Census Bureau and spatial data. The EDS also provides support for the use of the geographic information system (GIS) technology by health researchers.
The Biostatistics Key Function provides continuing statistical education for researchers. A monthly lecture series by Division of Biostatistics faculty and staff is available. The series in the coming year will include, for example, new talks on statistics in diagnostic medicine, survival analysis, and design of clinical trials, as well as a repeat of some of the most popular presentations from the past year. The talks are aimed at physician and basic scientists and are focused on interpretation of statistical results rather than on computations. Next years schedule is forthcoming on our web site. We are currently working on making videos of these presentations available to CTSI researchers. These lectures are supplemented by a bimonthly newsletter, "DATUM", which provides additional details and examples of how the statistical methods discussed in the lectures has been applied to projects here at MCW. DATUM also has a regular column on new data sets available for use on graphical statistical methods and statistical software. Further information on the Biostatistics Key function and its programs can be found on the Division of Biostatistics Key Function at http://www.mcw.edu/biostatistics.htm.