Framing risk in clinical practice

Abstract

In everyday clinical work, judgements and decisions are made which entail assessment of risk. Decisions are embedded in a context of other factors in which the psychological perspective or frame could shift. A summary of valuation factors for clinical risk is presented: (a) personal risks are specific to the patient, whereas the doctor has a general perception of risks; (b) personal risks are underestimated, with risks from adverse health behaviours judged as smaller than the same risks for people in general; (c) with a smaller difference in perceived risk between doctors and patients, it is easier to reach an agreement on treatment options; (d) expressing risk explicitly increases consensus about treatment; and (e) framing risk information as a gain rather than a loss increases consensus.