Risk communication and older people-understanding of probability and risk information by medical inpatients aged 75 years and older.
OBJECTIVE
To determine older people's understanding of probability and risk information, and the impact of pictorial representation of risk.


METHODS
A researcher-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
50 inpatients aged > or =75 years on elderly medicine wards at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Huddersfield, UK.


RESULTS
Older people understand percentage probability better than fractional probability, and a wide range of incorrect responses indicated significant over- and underestimation of probabilities. Visual data about percentages were well received and understood, and were perceived as a good idea by participants.


CONCLUSIONS
We have demonstrated a wide variation in understanding of risk and probability information by older people, with over- and underestimations of probability, along with confusion between fractional and percentage probability. Pictorial representation of probability was well understood. It could be developed as a simple, yet powerful communication tool to be used in daily clinical practice to help older people understand information on risks and benefits when making decisions about treatment choices.
Fuller
R
R
Department of Elderly Medicine, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Acre Street, Lindley, Huddersfield HD3 3EW, UK. ftworf@aol.com
Dudley
N
N
Blacktop
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires