To the Editor.—
I read with great interest the recent article by Hayden1 concerning the expanding use (and misuse) of biostatistics. in the medical literature. Having little background in statistics, I indeed have found it increasingly difficult to critically evaluate research presentations—the "auto-cerebrectomy" of which Feinstein2 spoke is both familiar and personally troubling.
While a series of instructional articles on statistical topics as has appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, is most welcome, I suspect that an approach more intimately associated with a well-established continuing medical education effort would reach the greatest number of practicing pediatricians and could be more directly tailored to their needs.
