For their study, researchers instructed 409 subjects to watch one of 20 possible videos. Each video showed one of four possible physicians (black or white middle-aged woman, and black or white middle-aged man), who described the risk of having a stroke in one of five ways.
The results from their study showed when the subjects were shown a qualitative and descriptive format with no numbers or statistics on stroke risk, patients were three times more likely to choose surgery (67 percent of all subjects watching that video). Comparatively, when patients were presented with information with numbers and statistics, 33 percent of all subjects watching that video chose surgery.
“Our study demonstrates a clear difference in patients’ decision making when information is presented in a descriptive manner versus using statistical variables,” says co-author Iram Zaman, DO, a neurologist at Henry Ford Hospital. “It is important that physicians are aware of this impact so that we can better serve our patients. It is our responsibility to deliver information in a clear and concise manner allowing individuals to make informed medical decisions.”
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