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To determine how best to present data to patients on the benefits and harms of treatments, researchers randomly assigned nearly 3000 U.S. adults from a nationally representative cohort to receive drug information in one of five numeric formats. Data were presented in tables as natural frequencies (x in 1000); variable frequencies (x in 100, x in 1000, etc., as needed to maintain the numerator >1); percentages; percentages and natural frequencies; or percentages and variable frequencies. Participants were asked 18 questions that assessed their interpretation of the data, which outlined the expected benefits and adverse effects associated with treatment. The study was conducted online.
The mean number of correct responses was between 13 and 14…