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Making numbers matter: present and future research in risk communication
Angela Fagerlin1, Peter A Ubel, Dylan M Smith
1Ann Arbor VA HSR&D Center for Excellence, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0429, USA. fagerlin@umich.edu
American Journal of Health Behavior
|October 20, 2007
Summary
Many individuals struggle with health numeracy, impacting healthcare. Presenting risk information effectively, considering numeracy levels, can improve patient understanding and knowledge.
Area of Science:
- Health Communication
- Medical Decision Making
- Patient Education
Background:
- A significant portion of the population exhibits low numeracy skills, hindering effective engagement with healthcare information.
- Current practices in risk communication are varied, with the method of presentation significantly influencing patient comprehension and risk perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current research on individual numeracy.
- To review diverse methods for communicating risk information to patients.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted.
- Relevant articles were retrieved from MEDLINE and the Social Sciences Citation Index.
Main Results:
- Low numeracy skills are prevalent and pose a barrier to effective healthcare.
- The way risk information is presented demonstrably impacts patients' understanding and perception of risks.
Conclusions:
- Implementing fundamental principles in presenting risk information can enhance patient comprehension.
- Tailoring risk communication strategies to different numeracy levels (high vs. low) is crucial for optimizing patient understanding.
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