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Patients' reaction to the disclosure of rare dreaded adverse events
1Section of Rheumatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. liana.fraenkel@yale.edu
Background:
Physicians must frequently inform their patients of the risks of rare, but serious, adverse events (AEs).
Objective:
To examine how patients react to the disclosure of rare AEs.
Methods:
Outpatients viewed a video of a physician describing a medication associated with a rare AE. Subjects then rated their worry, perceived chance of developing the AE, and willingness to take the medication.
Results:
Non-White men were more likely to perceive a greater chance of developing the AE compared to White men [Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) = 3.37 (1.09-10.45)]; White women were more likely to be worried [2.00 (0.95-4.24)] and to perceive a greater chance of developing the [6.22 (2.50-15.50)], perceive a greater chance of developing the AE [6.27 (2.43-16.15)], and be less willing to take the medication [0.23 (0.09-0.59)], compared to White men.
Conclusions:
Gender and ethnicity influence how patients react to disclosure of rare, but serious, AEs.
Practice Implications:
An improved understanding of patients' risk perceptions is required to inform the development of best practices to improve risk communication.
Insights
Physicians must communicate rare adverse events (AEs). Patient reactions to AEs vary by gender and ethnicity, impacting risk perception and medication willingness. Understanding these differences is key for effective risk communication.
Area of Science:
- Medical communication
- Patient perception
- Health disparities
Background:
- Physicians regularly inform patients about rare but serious adverse events (AEs).
- Effective communication of these risks is crucial for patient understanding and decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patient responses to the disclosure of rare adverse events.
- To analyze how demographic factors influence these reactions.
Main Methods:
- Outpatients watched a video detailing a medication with a rare adverse event.
- Participants then reported their levels of worry, perceived risk of the AE, and willingness to use the medication.
Main Results:
- Non-White men perceived a higher likelihood of developing the AE compared to White men.
- White women reported greater worry and perceived risk, and lower willingness to take the medication than White men.
Conclusions:
- Patient reactions to serious adverse event disclosures are significantly influenced by gender and ethnicity.
- Enhanced understanding of risk perception is essential for developing improved risk communication strategies.
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