Making numbers matter: Present and future research in risk communication.
Objective: To summarize existing research on individual numeracy and methods for presenting risk information to patients. Methods: We selectively retrieved articles from MEDLINE and the Social Sciences Citation Index. Results: Many Americans have low numeracy skills, a deficit that impedes effective health care. Approaches to risk communication vary in current practice, but how risks are presented can significantly affect both patients’ risk perceptions and their knowledge. Conclusions: Adhering to some basic principles for presenting risk information to patients can improve understanding. However, different risk-communication methods may be needed for individuals with high versus low levels of numeracy.
Related Topics:
Doctor-patient communication,
Decision aids,
Risk perception - time insensitivity,
Risk communication graphics,
Risk communication,
Numeracy
Keywords:
numeracy, decision aids, graphs, visual displays, informed consent, shared decision making, patient education
Citation
(view)
Fagerlin A, Ubel PA, Smith DM, Zikmund-Fisher BJ. Making numbers matter: Present and future research in risk communication.. American Journal of Health Behavior 2007;31(Suppl. 1):S47-S56.
Angela Fagerlin, PhD
Angie Fagerlin studied psychology and literature at Hope College and received her PhD in experimental (cognitive) psychology at Kent State University. Her primary research focus is testing methods for communicating the risks and benefits of treatment to patients (e.g., in decision aids). Her other...
Peter Ubel, MD
Peter A. Ubel, MD, is Professor of Medicine and Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan; a primary care physician at the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Associate Director of the Michigan Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars...
Dylan Smith, PhD
Dylan Smith studied social psychology at Arizona State University, where his work focused on interpersonal and intergroup relations and evolutionary psychology. His current research seeks to translate theoretical and methodological advances in the behavioral sciences to the study of health-related...
Brian Zikmund-Fisher, PhD
Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, as well as a Research Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School. He is...
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