Mathematics and Statistics in Anaesthesia

Presents mathematical ideas, and explains how these can be used to model and understand problems which arise in clinical anaesthesia. This book emphasizes the common features of the underlying mathematics through a pictorial/graphical approach.

Anaesthetic trainees often have enormous trouble understanding the quantitative aspects of the basic sciences underlying clinical anaesthetic practice. The subjects of pharmokinetics and statistics are often unpopular with trainees, and studied with little enthusiasm. In spite of their reluctance, this is an area that they are required to study and understand as a core part of their training for postgraduate exams. 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 anaesthesia. The common features of the underlying mathematics are emphasised 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. The book will be valuable to anaesthetists, in guiding them through what can be an intimidating part of their training.