Impact of presentation of research results on likelihood of prescribing medications to patients with left ventricular dysfunction

This study was conducted to evaluate willingness to prescribe medication ba sed on identical data presented in different outcome terms to health profes sionals of varied discipline, geographic location, and level of training. C ross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was performed in 400 health professionals (physicians, pharmacists, physicians-in-traini ng, and pharmacy students) in the United States and Europe. Data reflecting a clinical trial were presented in 6 outcome terms: 3 terms describing ide ntical mortality (relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction, and num ber of patients needed to be treated to prevent 1 death); and 3 distracters (increased life expectancy, decreased hospitalization rate, and decreased cost). Willingness to prescribe and rank order of medication preference ass uming willingness to prescribe were measured. The results of the study show ed that willingness to prescribe and first choice preference were significa ntly greater when study results were presented as relative risk reduction t han when identical mortality data were presented as absolute risk reduction or number of patients needed to be treated to avoid 1 death (p < 0.001). I ncrease in life expectancy was the most influential distractor. In conclusi on, this study, performed in the era of "evidence-based medicine," demonstr ates that the method of reporting research trial results has significant in fluence on health professionals' willingness to prescribe. The high numeric al value of relative risk reduction and the concrete and tangible quality o f increased life expectancy exert greater influence on health professionals than other standard outcome terms. (C) 2001 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.