Mathematics and Statistics in Anaesthesia

Anesthesia residents often have enormous trouble understanding the quantitative aspects of the basic sciences underlying clinical anesthetic practice. The subjects of pharmokinetics and statistics are often unpopular with trainees, and studied with little enthusiasm. In spite of their reluctance, however, this is an area that residents are required to study and understand as a core part of their training. Mathematics and Statistics for Anaesthetists presents simple mathematical ideas, and explains how these can be used to model and understand problems which arise in clinical anesthesia. The common features of the underlying mathematics are emphasized through a pictorial/graphical approach, in preference to vast amounts of algebra. The book presents statistics in an informal and less intimidating style that most standard statistical texts, incorporating illustrations and cartoons throughout.

Steven Cruickshank is Consultant Anaesthetist, Department of Anaesthesia, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.