My Story
I became fascinated by complex systems in med school. Though my skills with a pencil were of limited use, I would try to make sense of the human body by drawing. Looking back, I think I was hoping to get a grip on all the relationships between all of the cells and organs. Visualization helped me comprehend the bigger picture.
Why Posters?
Biochemistry was one of my favourite classes, especially the topic of human metabolism. I was still playing ice hockey at the time, so it was mindblowing to read about different energy systems - and see them in action. Since 2012, I dreamed of having a huge poster of it and eleven years later I finally found one. It gives me a sense of calmness when looking a it - steady, alive, always in motion.
Some people are terrified when they encounter it in my office!
That same year, 2023, I started teaching statistics to active and future MDs. In preparation for my classes, I realized I was doing the same thing - sketching so that I could understand. Another complex system to explore!
At some point, I asked myself:
“What if I could turn these drawings into posters that I could hang in my office?”
But that quickly turned into:
“What if I could share what I’m learning and teaching with as many people as possible through a familiar medium?”
MedStatsPosters was born.
The struggle with statistics is real. Physicians, nurses, academics, data scientists with a non-healthcare background, and most of all - my colleagues and friends in the medical device space, need help with “evidence” in evidence-based medicine.
Let’s be completely honest - learning statistics as a medical professional is torture.
But to keep up with the latest technologies, knowing how to assess the evidence (read: knowing what it says in the methods/results section of a peer-reviewed paper) is a skill that separates modern medical professionals.
Statistics is the skill we need to become scientists as well as clinicians. Posters, intended to serve as a resource you can return to, are my way of helping you overcome this crucial step.
So, since we’re stuck with learning something we always ran away from, maybe we could also have some fun along the way. Maybe it will alleviate some of the pain.
So I invite you to join me on this journey - I will be publishing new posters every 3 weeks and I’ll let you know when it’s out on social media.
I’ll use Twitter for fun facts and stories, LinkedIn for formal announcements, and Instagram/Pinterest for sharing the process of making each poster.
I am grateful that I get to do this with my friends:
Stefan (website & shop),
Boško (photography),
Anita & Aca (finance),
Srđan (print)
Milica (branding & design),
Prof. Nataša (my mentor)
and a group of aspiring MDs:
Katarina, Mihajlo, Emilija, Radmila,
Relja, Andrija, Lana, Masha, and Tijana.
Feel free to reach out - I’m always looking for feedback.
Alex Despotovic, MD, PhD
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