Bayesian versus diagnostic information in physician-patient communication: Effects of direction of statistical information and presentation of visualization

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283947
• Publication Date: 2023-06-07T17:22:38Z
• Authors: Sarah Frederike B...; Karin Binder; Martin R. Fischer; Martin Reincke; Leah T. Braun; Ralf Schmidmaier
• Keywords: Value of information; Presentation (obstetrics)

Communicating well with patients is a competence central to everyday clinical practice, and communicating statistical information, especially in Bayesian reasoning tasks, can be challenging. In information communicated two different ways (which we call directions of information): The direction (e.g., proportion people tested positive among those the disease) diagnostic having disease positive). purpose this study was analyze impact both presented whether visualization (frequency net) it on patient's ability quantify predictive value.109 participants completed four medical cases (2⨯2⨯4 design) that were video; physician frequencies using (Bayesian vs. information). half for each direction, given frequency net. After watching video, stated value. Accuracy speed response analyzed.Communicating led participant performance only 10% (without 37% (with accuracy. tasks but without net correctly solved by 72% participants, accuracy rate decreased 61% when Participants correct responses version took longest complete (median 106 seconds; median 13.5, 14.0, 14.5 seconds other versions).Communicating rather than helps understand specific better more quickly. Patients' understanding relevance test results strongly dependent way presented.