The Biostatistics Graduates' Perspectives Concerning the Curriculum, the Course Educational Topics, and Its Association with Their Career-related Requirements

Abstract

Background: The study and revision of postgraduates syllabus are very important aspects to promote the level of effectiveness of postgraduates' educations. Owing to the requirement of syllabus reform, especially when the speed of useful life of information in the world is less than a decade, it is a serious aspect for the educational programmers. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the view of biostatistics graduates on the syllabus of the courses, the achievement of learning aims, job requirements, and understanding their educational problems. Methods: The number of graduates was 245 in the levels of master of science (MSc) and PhD of biostatistics from Tehran, Iran, Shahid Beheshti, Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Sciences, and University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. The participants were graduated from 2011 to 2020. The data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of PhD and MSc graduates, 48 (57.1%) and 70 (43.5%) participants declared, respectively, that they received the necessary theoretical and practical skills that they needed for their job. Also, clinical trial courses in both MSc and PhD periods were chosen by the graduates as the most significant courses, and one of the most applied courses in job requirements. Furthermore, statistical methods at MSc level and longitudinal data analysis at PhD level were chosen as the next important courses by the graduates, respectively. Conclusions: The findings show that the syllabus meets less than half of the graduates' job requirements, so it is not enough and is necessary to reform the contents of educational programs according to their job requirements.