This Is Why with Dr. Busti

Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FNLA, FAHA

This Is Why exists to help medical professionals understand the why behind the decisions they make every day in patient care. Our approach is about integrating evidence, clinical relevance and real-world application so that what your learn connects directly with the patients you serve. 

  1. 1D AGO

    Medical Terminology: Sternutate

    What does “sternutate” actually mean, and why does medicine use complex terms for simple human experiences like sneezing? In this episode of This Is Why, Dr. Busti breaks down the medical term sternutate, its Latin origin, and how it connects to the physiology of sneezing as a protective reflex.  This episode goes beyond memorization to focus on clinical reasoning—helping healthcare professionals understand how a common symptom like sneezing can point to underlying conditions such as allergic rhinitis, infections, or environmental triggers.  If you want to better understand the “why” behind medical terminology and apply it to real patient care, this episode will help you think more clearly and clinically. 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 We'd love if you'd leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify! It helps other clinicians like you find us.  #sternutate #medicalterminology #sneezing #clinicalreasoning #drbusti Speaker: Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education. Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes. About This Channel: This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC). Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    7 min
  2. 2D AGO

    Power Analysis Explained: Type II Error, Beta, and Sample Size

    Power analysis is essential for interpreting clinical research and determining whether a study can truly detect a meaningful difference. In this lecture on This Is Why, Dr. Busti will explain what statistical power really means, how it relates to beta and Type II error, and why sample size plays a critical role in identifying true differences in clinical studies. He walks through the conceptual meaning of power—not just the formula—and shows how clinicians and researchers should interpret study results when no difference is found. This lecture is part of the This Is Why (TIW) evidence-based medicine series, a connected playlist designed to build a deeper understanding of biostatistics and clinical reasoning. Be sure to explore the full series to strengthen your ability to critically evaluate medical literature. Topics Covered: - Definition of statistical power (1 − beta) - Type II error and its clinical meaning - Relationship between power and beta - Why power reflects the probability of detecting a true difference - Impact of sample size on study conclusions - Factors influencing power analysis - One-sided vs two-sided hypothesis testing - Study design considerations (crossover vs randomized trials) - Interpreting studies with no statistically significant difference - Clinical implications of underpowered studies The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #PowerAnalysis #TypeIIError #Biostatistics #EvidenceBasedMedicine #Dr Busti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    25 min
  3. 5D AGO

    Alpha Value Explained (Type I Error)| Biostatistics Series

    Alpha value and Type I error are foundational concepts in biostatistics and clinical research interpretation. In this lecture on This Is Why, Dr. Busti will explain what alpha represents, how it is determined, and how clinicians should interpret it when evaluating medical literature. This session clarifies the relationship between alpha, Type I error, hypothesis testing, and study power, helping learners connect statistical theory to real clinical decision-making. This lecture is part of the broader This Is Why evidence-based medicine series, where each concept builds on previous topics to strengthen your ability to critically evaluate research. Be sure to explore the full playlist to connect concepts like hypothesis testing, power analysis, and statistical errors. Topics Covered: - Definition of alpha in clinical research - Alpha as probability of Type I error - Interpreting alpha in published studies - One-tailed vs two-tailed hypothesis testing - Relationship between alpha and study power - Type I error vs correct decision-making - Clinical implications of statistical error - Role of alpha in evidence-based medicine The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #alpha value #type I error #biostatistics #clinical research #Dr Busti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    19 min
  4. APR 27

    Parametric vs Non-Parametric Statistical Tests Explained

    Parametric vs Non-Parametric statistical tests are explained, and how they relate to data type, distribution, and study design. In this lecture on This Is Why, Dr. Busti brings the full biostatistics framework of the Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) together—connecting data type, distribution, and study groups to the correct statistical analysis. Understanding when to use parametric vs. nonparametric tests is critical for interpreting clinical research and avoiding common mistakes when evaluating data in evidence-based medicine (EBM). This lecture reinforces how normal vs skewed data, outliers, and data classification influence statistical decision-making. Topics Covered: - Parametric vs nonparametric statistical tests - Normal distribution vs non-normal data - Role of data type in statistical analysis - Impact of outliers and skewed data - Nominal, ordinal, and continuous data review - How distribution affects test selection - Connecting data, groups, and statistical tests - Interpreting how data is presented in research - Clinical implications of incorrect statistical analysis The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Access bonus materials and downloads from this episode at: https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/parametric-vs-nonparametric-statistical-tests-biostatistics 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #parametricvsnonparametric #biostatistics #statisticaltests #EBM #DrBusti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    16 min
  5. APR 24

    Independent vs Paired Groups Explained (Choose the Right Test)

    Independent vs paired study groups explained and how they determine the correct statistical test in clinical research. In this This Is Why lecture, Dr. Busti breaks down one of the most important steps in biostatistics—identifying the type of study groups and how that directly impacts statistical test selection. Understanding whether groups are independent or related is essential for interpreting clinical trials and avoiding common mistakes when reading research. This lecture builds on prior topics and moves you closer to confidently choosing the correct statistical analysis. Topics Covered: - Independent vs paired (related) study groups - How study design determines statistical testing - Randomized controlled trials and independent groups - Crossover and pre-post study designs - Matched and paired data concepts - Number of groups and its impact on analysis - Role of study groups in statistical decision-making - Connecting study design to hypothesis testing framework The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Access bonus materials and downloads from this episode at: https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/independent-vs-paired-study-groups-biostatistics 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #independentvspaired #studygroups #biostatistics #clinicalresearch #Dr Busti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    14 min
  6. APR 22

    Practice Question: Parkinson Disease Medication Discontinuation Safety

    Parkinson disease medication discontinuation safety is the focus of this episode of This Is Why with Dr. Busti. In this board-style practice question, we work through a clinical scenario involving adverse effects, medication management, and the reasoning process needed to approach discontinuation decisions safely in practice and on exams. In this episode, Dr. Busti breaks down how to think through a medication safety question step by step, identify common board traps, and connect the pharmacology to real patient care. Topics Covered: - Parkinson disease medication management - Medication discontinuation safety - Adverse effects and treatment adjustment - Board-style pharmacology reasoning - How to analyze discontinuation questions - Common distractors in medication safety questions - Clinical thinking for neurologic drug therapy - Patient counseling during medication changes The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #ParkinsonDisease #MedicationSafety #Pharmacology #ClinicalReasoning #DrBusti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    9 min
  7. APR 20

    Types of Data Explained: Nominal, Ordinal, or Continuous?

    Types of data for a study's endpoint are explained—nominal, ordinal, or continuous—and how each determines the appropriate statistical test in clinical research. In this lecture on This Is Why, Dr. Busti walks through one of the most critical steps in biostatistics: correctly identifying the type of data based on the study question. This is where many learners make mistakes—especially when distinguishing between ordinal vs continuous data, recognizing skewed data, or understanding when to use parametric vs non-parametric analysis. This lecture connects directly to prior topics on study groups and variability, bringing you closer to confidently choosing the correct statistical test. Topics Covered: - Nominal, ordinal, and continuous data explained - How the study question determines data type - Parametric vs non-parametric data concepts - Normal distribution vs skewed data - Relationship between mean, median, and mode - When continuous data should not be treated as parametric - Impact of outliers on data interpretation - Interpreting data for correct statistical test selection - How endpoints can change data classification (e.g., yes/no vs average) The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Access bonus materials and downloads from this episode at: https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/types-of-data-nominal-ordinal-continuous-biostatistics 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #typesofdata #nominalordinalcontinuous #biostatistics #clinicalresearch #Dr Busti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    28 min
  8. APR 17

    Intro to Biostatistics: How to Pick the Right Statistical Test

    How do you choose the right statistical test in clinical research? In this This Is Why (TIW) lecture, Dr. Busti introduces the biostatistics decision-making framework that connects hypothesis, study design, and data type to the correct statistical analysis. This is not a memorization lecture—it’s about understanding the structure behind statistical choices so you can evaluate research correctly as a clinician or researcher. This episode sets the foundation for the entire Biostatistics Framework series, where each concept builds step-by-step into practical application. If you’ve ever wondered why a specific statistical test was used in a paper—or whether it was the right one—this is where you start. Topics Covered: - Introduction to biostatistics in clinical research - How to choose the correct statistical test - Role of hypothesis in guiding analysis - Study design and its impact on statistical decisions - Understanding data types in research - Independent vs related groups - Internal validity and bias in clinical studies - Sample vs population inference - Null vs alternative hypothesis (conceptual review) - Overview of the statistical decision framework The goal = make medical education easy and clinically relevant. 👉 Get more with a free membership at https://www.thisiswhy.health/ - Access free downloads from our videos  - Access deep dive content from Dr. Busti - Organize content via playlists & collections - Join live Q&A - Receive member newsletters - Coupons & discounts for exam prep resources 👍 If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a classmate or colleague. That will help this new channel continue producing free, high-yield medical education content. 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming lectures in pharmacology, medical rounds, and more! #biostatistics #clinicalresearch #evidencebasedmedicine #epidemiology #DrBusti Speaker:  Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, is a licensed healthcare professional and medical educator with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice and academic teaching. He has trained and practiced as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to patient care and medical education.  Dr. Busti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine and helping clinicians understand the underlying “why” behind clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.  About This Channel:  This content is created by Anthony Busti, MD, PharmD, MSc, FAHA, FNLA, a board-certified physician with training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Oxford and a medical educator for healthcare professionals and students. All material is based on current medical literature and evidence-based guidelines that align with principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC).  Disclaimer:  This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never delay care because of educational content.

    30 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This Is Why exists to help medical professionals understand the why behind the decisions they make every day in patient care. Our approach is about integrating evidence, clinical relevance and real-world application so that what your learn connects directly with the patients you serve. 

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