When numbers get serious

Littenberg, Benjamin; Nease, Robert F.

doi:10.1007/bf02599661

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Patient preference for a procedure should be based on accurate information with careful consideration of both benefit and risk. Several studies of risk interpretation, using hypothetical scenarios, have demonstrated that individuals tend to overestimate small risks and underestimate large risks [15][16][17][18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A case-vignette based assessment of patient's perspective on coronary revascularization strategies, the OPINION study

Masdjedi¹,

Daemen²,

Diletti³

et al. 2018

Journal of Cardiology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A case-vignette based assessment of patient's perspective on coronary revascularization strategies, the OPINION study

Masdjedi¹,

Daemen²,

Diletti³

et al. 2018

Journal of Cardiology

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“…We elected to use a partially quantitative scale to describe risk, rather than a qualitative one using terms such as probable and rare. There is controversy as to which type is preferable, 17,18 and it would be of interest to repeat the present study, using all qualitative terms. Patient interpretation of risk expressed quantitatively has rarely been investigated.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Much Information About Adverse Effects of Medication Do Patients Want From Physicians?

et al. 2001

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“…These concerns have led some researchers to propose that numeric expressions of probabilities (such as 10 percent, or 1 in 9) should be used when communicating risk information. This proposition is based on the assumption that these expressions are more precise and less open to misinterpretation 12,20,21 , as well as on empirical evidence that people faced with actual decisions prefer to receive probabilistic information in numeric format 22-24 . There are a number of issues regarding the use of numeric expression of probabilities. First, the comprehension of numerical risk information depends greatly on people's 'numeracy' skills; even highly-educated individuals may have difficulty processing and interpreting numeric expressions of probabilities 4,7,8,[25][26][27][28][29] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This concern is based on the possibility that verbal or numeric expressions of probabilities could, in themselves, differentially affect people's comprehension. If comprehension is undermined then inaccurate risk perceptions could remain either unmodified or become distorted even further, and thereby interfere with the attempt to help individuals make genuinely informed choices among elective health care options 4,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Verbal versus numerical probabilities: Does format presentation of probabilistic information regarding breast cancer screening affect women’s comprehension?

Vahabi¹

2010

Health Education Journal

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Objective: To test whether the format in which women receive probabilistic information about breast cancer and mammography affects their comprehension. Methods: A convenience sample of 180 women received pre-assembled randomized packages containing a breast health information brochure, with probabilities presented in either verbal or numeric format, and four questionnaires. Enclosed questionnaires assessed women's knowledge of breast health, socio-demographic/ clinical characteristics, comprehension of breast health information brochure and format preference. Results: Nearly two-thirds of the study participants reported a preference for the numeric format. However, the study results showed that comprehension was significantly higher among women who received probabilistic information in verbal format than those who received the information in numeric format. This higher degree of comprehension was sustained even if the verbal format was inconsistent with the respondents' format preference, and even if the respondents' educational background were relatively limited. Women's comprehension was strongly associated with the interaction between received format and their format preferences as well as their education level and their perceived benefit of early detection of breast cancer. Conclusion:The study demonstrates that comprehension of information depends on: (1) women's readiness to receive information; and (2) their education and numeracy skills in processing and interpreting probabilistic information, particularly, when presented in quantitative format. Attention must be paid to these factors when designing or communicating breast health information in order to ensure full comprehension of information, and to avoid any potential discrimination which people may face relating to their poor education or numeracy skills. Systematic investigation into the relationships among readiness, numeracy problems, and format preferences could help build effective guidelines for providing women with appropriate and comprehensible information.

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When numbers get serious

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

A case-vignette based assessment of patient's perspective on coronary revascularization strategies, the OPINION study

A case-vignette based assessment of patient's perspective on coronary revascularization strategies, the OPINION study

How Much Information About Adverse Effects of Medication Do Patients Want From Physicians?

Verbal versus numerical probabilities: Does format presentation of probabilistic information regarding breast cancer screening affect women’s comprehension?

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