Research report 2015 - Max Planck Institute for Human Development

Informed patients through distribution of fact boxes

Authors
Gigerenzer, Gerd; Rebitschek, Felix G.
Departments
Harding-Zentrum für Risikokompetenz
Summary
Many doctors do not understand health statistics sufficiently, thus lacking basic knowledge and facts to perform crucial tasks such as properly discussing potential treatment plans with their patients. The current system of training health professionals unfortunately does not aim at rectifying this deficit. An evaluation study has proven the effectiveness of fact boxes, as developed by the Harding Center, in imparting knowledge to patients as a basis for informed decisions. Patients, doctors, and the health care system as a whole benefit from understanding the data provided by fact boxes.

For the full text, see the German version.

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