Introduction

Abstract

I have met a handful of clinicians (among many encountered professionally) who are highly accomplished statistical analysts with an advanced understanding of how and when to apply selected statistical methods and make appropriate influences. Yet not one of them have ceased consulting me or my statistician colleagues when carrying out quantitative analyses. On the contrary, working with clinical researchers who have attained a high degree of statistical proficiency is a real pleasure for we statisticians. The collaboration between clinician and statistician in academic research is all the more rewarding and enjoyable. (Note to fellow medical statisticians: clinical collaborators generally appreciate it when we take the time and trouble to learn about their clinical specialty).