JAMA Clinical Reviews Five Things to Do When Communicating Medical Numbers
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Sep 24, 2025 Angela Fagerlin, a leading researcher at the University of Utah, shares her insights on communicating medical numbers effectively. She emphasizes the importance of using numeric probabilities instead of vague terms, which can mislead patients. Fagerlin advocates for consistent denominators to simplify comparisons and prefers absolute differences over relative risks for clarity. Visual displays, like pictographs, enhance understanding, while providing context for unfamiliar biomarker numbers improves patient decision-making. Ultimately, informed choices hinge on clear numeric communication.
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Always Give Numeric Risk Estimates
- Use numbers (even approximate) rather than vague words when describing risks to patients.
- Provide numeric probabilities so patients don't misinterpret terms like "high" or "common."
Misunderstood Numbers Lead To Bad Choices
- Patients often choose treatments that contradict what they say matters because they misunderstand numbers.
- Misinterpreted probabilities can lead to decisions that worsen survival or increase unwanted side effects.
Use Consistent Denominators
- Present risks using a consistent denominator across comparisons (eg, out of 100).
- Standardized denominators let patients compare outcomes without doing math for you.