Why One Number Isn’t Enough for Patients

Adding a comparison number may help patients interpret risk and make better decisions.

Share

1

Numbers presented without comparisons are often meaningless to patients, leading to confusion about their significance.
2

Providing context, such as comparing a patient's risk to the general population, makes statistics interpretable and actionable.
3

Research shows that comparisons significantly influence patients' perceptions of risk and treatment effectiveness.
4

Patients are more likely to take action, such as using risk-reducing medication, when their risk is presented as higher than average.
5

Two numbers can transform abstract statistics into understandable information, aiding patients in decision-making.