absolute risk representation in cardiovascular disease prevention comprehension and preferences of health care consumers and general practitioners involved in a focus group study绝对风险表现在心血管疾病预防医疗消费者的理解和偏好和全科医生参与一个焦点小组研究.pdfVIP

Hill et al. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:108 /1471-2458/10/108 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Absolute risk representation in cardiovascular disease prevention: comprehension and preferences of health care consumers and general practitioners involved in a focus group study Sophie Hill1*†, Janet Spink1†, Dominique Cadilhac2†, Adrian Edwards3†, Caroline Kaufman4†, Sophie Rogers5†, Rebecca Ryan1†, Andrew Tonkin6† Abstract Background: Communicating risk is part of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke, collectively referred to as cardiovascular disease (CVD). In Australia, health organisations have promoted an absolute risk approach, thereby raising the question of suitable standardised formats for risk communication. Methods: Sixteen formats of risk representation were prepared including statements, icons, graphical formats, alone or in combination, and with variable use of colours. All presented the same risk, i.e., the absolute risk for a 55 year old woman, 16% risk of CVD in five years. Preferences for a five or ten-year timeframe were explored. Australian GPs and consumers were recruited for participation in focus groups, with the data analysed thematically and preferred formats tallied. Results: Three focus groups with health consumers and three with GPs were held, involving 19 consumers and 18 GPs. Consumers and GPs had similar views on which formats were more easily comprehended and which conveyed 16% risk as a high risk. A simple summation of preferences resulted in three graphical formats (thermometers, verti- cal bar chart) and one statement format as the top choices. The use of colour to distinguish risk (red, yellow, green) and comparative information (age, sex, smoking status) were important ingredients. Consumers found for- mats which combined information helpful, such as colour, effect