Useful Tools

Hi Penny - sorry for the delay in my response - it took me a while to have a quick look at the content of this book - while I only skimmed the information I was very impressed with how the authors were presenting the risk/benefit information - they seemed to be doing all of the things Mike and I typically suggest should be done - the quote from the book at the bottom of this comment really encapsulates what patients need to be able to do - at least those interested in participating in the decision-making process.

I tend not to use visual tools as I find most people understand (although I may have a biased view point as I typically talk with a select population who is already interested in this area) if I tell then what their approximate risk is (in %) without treatment and their approximate risk (in %) with treatment over a period of time. Then obviously, the benefit is the difference between the 2 numbers. Hope this helps. Thanks for posting a comment.

A quote from the book “The illusion of certainty : Health benefits and risks”

"If you don’t have the ability to discuss the results of studies on which your doctor is basing her recommendations, it is very hard to be an informed partner. This does not mean you have to understand all the science involved. It does mean that when an article provides numbers for the risk or benefit of something, you need to be able to understand what the numbers are saying. That understanding will allow you to be a true partner with your doctor. It will enable you to discuss how you feel about the proposed intervention. It is not that you want to debate an article with your doctor. It’s that you want to have a common language to discuss how your medical options align with your personal values and wishes. You need to be on the same page as your doctor if you are going to discuss what treatments are compatible with your own sense of the risk you are willing to take. These lessons will improve your communication with your doctor, and they will let you form a closer partnership with him."