An inventory of biostatistics teaching in American and Canadian Medical Schools

During the academic year 1969-70 a detailed inventory was conducted of biostatistics teaching in American and Canadian medical schools. Approximately two-thirds of schools required a separate, distinct biostatistics course. This report describes these courses, their content, and the characteristics of the individuals who taught the courses and their perception of the medical student's reaction to biostatistics. A more recent survey covering the academic year 1973-74 revealed that the situation had not changed; slightly more than two-thirds of respondents indicated that exposure to biostatistics was required in their schools' curricula.