Gordan Taylor does have a fair point, which is why at King's College London
we have developed guidance notes for potential consulters for advice in
medical statistics (e.g. make an appointment in advance via a specific
member of the support staff, e-mail relevant documents prior to the
meeting, remember that the statistician might not be expert in the clinical
aspects of your specialty, etc). We also operate a rota of statisticians so
that everyone gets a 'rest'!
Nigel Smeeton
At 00:21 23/05/2008, you wrote:
>Yes, probably!
>But what are you actually doing as a medical statistician there IF not
>helping colleagues with statistical advice and consultancy?! Are you a
>project statistician or you are on a permanent contract (empployee)?
>If for you their questions are of "low level" - who might be "below you"
>to respond to them?" Some "assistant medical statistician" that you have
>for that purpose?
>I have had experience for more than 5-6 years as a medical
>(bio)statistician in a Medical School, and later as a senior
>biostatistician in a clinical research setting and I have ALWAYS helped my
>colleagues who came for advice and I have had and still have the main
>understanding that this is a normal and usual part of my work - HELPING
>AND ADVISING my colleagues whatever level they were and whatever questions
>they had - if they COME to you with a question / problem - IT MEANS that
>this is IMPORTANT to them and they need you and they need YOUR help (not
>mine!) - BUT there is a VERY SIMPLE solution - you DECIDE either to HELP
>and ADVISE your colleagues OR you DO NOT! When you start saying "NO" -
>they will stop coming! But if you say "NO" - what are you actually doing
>(and paid for?!) there?? Or these are your Superiors that do not
>understand such an "engagement" of yours - WHERE is THE PROBLEM?!
>Borisav
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:27 PM
>Subject: 'rules of engagement' for medical statistican.
>
>
>>Dear All,
>>
>>As a medical statistician working in a school for health I find that
>>colleagues frequently ask for help on statistical issues (often of a fairly
>>low level). This is obviously an intrusion and whilst not wishing to appear
>>unhelpful I am trying to come up with some 'rules of engagement' that would
>>enable me to still be approachable and helpful but not overly burdened with
>>inappropriate questions. . I suspect that I am not alone in having this
>>dilemma. I was therefore wondering if anyone has any 'rules of engagement'
>>that they would mind sharing with me?
>>
>>Many thanks,
>>
>>Gordon Taylor
>>
>
>
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