Bonner, C, Trevena, LJ, Gaissmaier, W et al. (6 more authors) (2021) Current best practices for presenting probabilities in patient decision aids: Fundamental principles. Medical Decision Making, 41 (7). pp. 821-833. ISSN 0272-989X
Abstract
Background
Shared decision making requires evidence to be conveyed to the patient in a way they can easily understand and compare. Patient decision aids facilitate this process. This article reviews the current evidence for how to present numerical probabilities within patient decision aids.
Methods
Following the 2013 review method, we assembled a group of 9 international experts on risk communication across Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We expanded the topics covered in the first review to reflect emerging areas of research. Groups of 2 to 3 authors reviewed the relevant literature based on their expertise and wrote each section before review by the full authorship team.
Results
Of 10 topics identified, we present 5 fundamental issues in this article. Although some topics resulted in clear guidance (presenting the chance an event will occur, addressing numerical skills), other topics (context/evaluative labels, conveying uncertainty, risk over time) continue to have evolving knowledge bases. We recommend presenting numbers over a set time period with a clear denominator, using consistent formats between outcomes and interventions to enable unbiased comparisons, and interpreting the numbers for the reader to meet the needs of varying numeracy.
Discussion
Understanding how different numerical formats can bias risk perception will help decision aid developers communicate risks in a balanced, comprehensible manner and avoid accidental “nudging” toward a particular option. Decisions between probability formats need to consider the available evidence and user skills. The review may be useful for other areas of science communication in which unbiased presentation of probabilities is important.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 by Society for Medical Decision Making. This is an author produced version of an article published in Medical Decision Making. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | decision aids, risk communication, standards |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > Management Division (LUBS) (Leeds) > Management Division Decision Research (LUBS) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 26 Feb 2021 16:37 |
Last Modified: | 06 Jun 2024 10:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/0272989X21996328 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:171580 |