Laypersons' understanding of statistical concepts commonly used in prescription drug promotion: A review of the research literature.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevalence of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for prescription drugs has led to concerns about how consumers interpret the medical information conveyed in these ads. One strategy for improving lay understanding of medical information involves incorporating quantitative information about a treatment's potential benefits and risks.

Objective

This literature review investigates laypersons' interpretations of statistical concepts, expanding on past reviews and including terms that may be used in DTC prescription drug advertising.

Methods

We searched six databases for articles published from January 2000 to October 2021. Articles were included if they were in English and examined general or lay audiences' comprehension of quantitative or statistical con

SUBMITTER: Yount ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11578788 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature