Nursing is more technical and data-driven than ever and will likely keep trending that way. Because of this, nurses need to understand data and how it can translate to individual care as well as public and population health. Biostatistics can help them interpret and use this information to inform and improve patient care.
Worcester State University’s online Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing – Nurse Educator program prepares educators to impart biostatistics knowledge and best practices to nurses. The graduate-level program includes a Biostatistics course that explores how statistical methods relate to epidemiology and, together, can identify health concerns among diverse populations. Students learn about appropriate sample sizes, probabilities, and sources of bias. They can then use their accurate findings to guide patient treatment and draw conclusions about the needs of various populations.
What Is Biostatistics and Why Does It Matter in Nursing?
Biostatistics is a method of analyzing and interpreting data used by health professionals, including nurses. Typically, a sample obtained from an individual can be extrapolated to determine what is happening in a larger population. The information can influence policies and initiatives, ultimately improving individual and public health.
Nurses can collect, interpret, and draw meaningful conclusions from data. They can assess the effectiveness of treatment plans and calculate the probability associated with a specific clinical outcome. Nurses can also use biostatistics methodologies to analyze emerging trends in disease processes, evaluate research findings, and contribute to evidence-based practice.
In addition, understanding biostatistics equips nurses to tailor interventions to diverse populations’ specific healthcare needs. Nurses with biostatistics experience can assist with designing clinical trials and developing targeted public health policies and programs. This way, they can improve healthcare outcomes by addressing disparities and delivering high-quality care to more populations.
What Are Some Biostatistics Methods or Technologies in Nursing?
Nurses use several methods and technologies to record and apply biostatistics effectively, including the following:
- Electronic health records (EHR): EHR systems collect and store all patient data and clinical information, from lab results and treatments to demographics and outcomes. Nurses can tap into these extensive data sets and extract relevant data for statistical analysis, which can aid in evidence-based decision-making and patient care improvements.
- Data collection tools: Effective statistical analysis depends on having sufficient high-quality data. Besides the EHR, several tools, such as surveys and questionnaires, can help nurses gather more patient information and pertinent health-related data. These tools provide structured data that can be analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and correlations in illness presentation and healthcare outcomes.
- Statistical software: Nurses may utilize specialized software like SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) to manage and analyze data sets. These software programs utilize various advanced statistical tools for data manipulation, hypothesis testing, and predictive and regression analysis.
- Data visualization technology: Data visualization software like Tableau allows nurses to present statistical findings through charts, graphs, and dashboards. The visual representations offer another avenue to break down and share complex findings to facilitate greater understanding and decision-making.
How Is Epidemiology Related to Biostatistics?
Epidemiology and biostatistics are distinct but interrelated disciplines that can provide critical information for nursing professionals. While epidemiology is the study of disease patterns and determinants of health in specific populations, it relies heavily on the mathematical application of biostatistics. Generally, biostatistics supplies the tools and methods to collect health-related data, extract critical findings, and draw meaningful conclusions.
Today, biostatistics is integral to nursing practice. It facilitates evidence-based decision-making, drives healthcare and population health improvements, and enhances individual patient outcomes. The online MSN – Nurse Educator program at Worcester State ensures that nurse educators have the skills to teach student nurses the necessary biostatistics knowledge to optimize patient care in an increasingly data-driven landscape.
Learn more about Worcester State University’s online MSN – Nurse Educator program.