[What attitude do physicians have towards risk?].

Abstract

Results of medical research provide physicians with knowledge on how to reduce risk, and are probably the main source of such knowledge. The results are usually presented in terms of relative risk reduction. However, when treating the individual patient, the most important question will be how beneficial the treatment is for this particular patient, that is to say, the absolute reduction of risk. 91 Norwegian general practitioners who participated in a symposium on hypertension were presented with results from a recent study of treatment of this condition. Most of the doctors placed a different interpretation when the same information was presented in two different ways, i.e.: as relative reduction and absolute reduction of risk. They evaluated the results stated in terms of relative risk reduction as far better than the same results when stated as absolute risk reduction. This may influence the degree of treatment of hypertension in general practice.