Visual aids help patients understand risk

Patients want more information in a more understandable format. Decision aids such as booklets, tapes, videodiscs, interactive computer programs, and paper based charts are tools that can easily be used to improve communication. In their clinical review, Edwards and colleagues (p 827) discuss how professionals can support patients in making choices by turning raw data into more helpful information. "Framing manipulations" of information, such as using information about relative risk in isolation of base rates, should be avoided. Decision aids can be useful as they often include visual presentations of risk information and relate the information to more familiar risks.

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Relevant Article

Explaining risks: turning numerical data into meaningful pictures

Adrian Edwards, Glyn Elwyn, and Al Mulley
BMJ 2002 324: 827-830. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]