Numeracy and communication with patients: they are counting on us.
Patient-centered interactive communication between physicians and patients is recommended to improve the quality of medical care. Numerical concepts are important components of such exchanges and include arithmetic and use of percentages, as well as higher level tasks like estimation, probability, problem-solving, and risk assessment--the basis of preventive medicine. Difficulty with numerical concepts may impede communication. The current evidence on prevalence, measurement, and outcomes related to numeracy is presented, along with a summary of best practices for communication of numerical information. This information is integrated into a hierarchical model of mathematical concepts and skills, which can guide clinicians toward numerical communication that is easier to use with patients.
Apter
Andrea J
AJ
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. apter@mail.med.upenn.edu
Paasche-Orlow
Michael K
MK
Remillard
Janine T
JT
Bennett
Ian M
IM
Ben-Joseph
Elana Pearl
EP
Batista
Rosanna M
RM
Hyde
James
J
Rudd
Rima E
RE
D003142:Communication; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations