The Biostatistical Collaboration Unit

This unit will be led by two senior biostatisticians with extensive clinical research experience: Drs. Thomas Fleming (Chair, Department of Biostatistics) and Patrick Heagerty (Associate Professor of Biostatistics). These faculty statisticians will work closely with a group of masters-level statisticians who will provide the day-to-day work with the Clinical Research Scholars.

We use the term biostatistical "collaboration" rather than "consultation" because of our conviction that excellent clinical research requires the input of statistical expertise throughout the project, not just in the analysis phases after data collection is complete. Statistical collaboration is required in research design, development of data collection instruments, database management, quality control, data analysis, and interpretation of results. For many relatively routine study designs, masters-level statisticians will be able to provide excellent support for these aspects of research, and will function as true co-investigators. This will help to foster an attitude of collaboration and help build methodologic competencies among the Research Scholars.

Projects and designs that require more specialized statistical collaboration will require the availability of more senior statisticians. With the planned structure of the unit, both the masters-level statisticians and the Research Scholars will have ready access to such expertise through Drs. Fleming and Heagerty or through the other excellent biostatistics faculty at UW.

For some projects, especially those using large or complex databases, computer systems programming expertise will also be necessary. Most of this need can be met by the masters-level statisticians. If more intensive programming support is necessary, the Scholars may use their research support funds to hire additional programming assistance.