Designing risk communication in health

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_B2A699E8FDD0
Type
A part of a book
Publication sub-type
Chapter: chapter ou part
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Designing risk communication in health
Title of the book
Ecological rationality: Intelligence in the world
Author(s)
Kurzenhäuser S., Hoffrage U.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Address of publication
New York, NY
ISBN
978-0-19-531544-8
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2012
Editor
Todd P. M., Gigerenzer G., the ABC Research Group
Chapter
17
Pages
428-453
Language
english
Abstract
This chapter explores how the representation of statistical information affects the understanding of risks and uncertainties in medical contexts. Using mammography screening as a prime example, it is shown that problems in understanding and dealing with numbers are often due to poorly designed information environments, rather than to internal deficiencies of the human mind. For three types of statistical information that physicians and patients often encounter-conditional probabilities, single-event probabilities, and relative risks-a representation is proposed that facilitates understanding. These are compared to the representations actually used in published materials about mammography screening. Factors in the environment that can contribute to innumeracy are identified and the question of why risks are not always communicated in a transparent manner is addressed. Finally, recommendations are formulated for changes, in both the information environment and the institutional and legal environments, that could help foster statistical thinking and informed decisions about medical screening.
Keywords
Risk communication, Information representation, Natural frequencies, Screening, Mammography, Innumeracy, Statistical thinking, Risk reduction, Informed consent, Pamphlets
Create date
24/02/2009 15:34
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:21
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