Words or numbers? Communicating risk of adverse effects in written consumer health information: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Various types of framing can influence risk perceptions, which may have an impact on treatment decisions and adherence. One way of framing is the use of verbal terms in communicating the probabilities of treatment effects. We systematically reviewed the comparative effects of words versus numbers in communicating the probability of adverse effects to consumers in written health information.

Methods

Nine electronic databases were searched up to November 2012. Teams of two reviewers independently assessed studies.

Inclusion criteria

randomised controlled trials; verbal versus numerical presentation; context: written consumer health information.

Results

Ten trials were included. Participants perceived probabilities presented in verbal terms as higher th

SUBMITTER: Buchter RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4153005 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature