Understanding the Frequency and Severity of Side Effects: Patients vs. Medical Experts

Terminology that describes side effects, used in prescription drug information literature such as the Physicians Desk Reference and patient leaflets, includes many frequency and severity terms. Decisions made by medical professionals regarding side effects depend on their interpretations of these terms. However, decisions made by patients regarding side effects depend on their interpretations, too. In this paper we describe experiments that examine patients’ understanding of frequency and severity information and compare their understanding with information in the medical literature. We present implications for systems designed to interact directly with patients as well as healthcare workers and caregivers.

Duke Scholars

Author Ruth S. Day Psychology & Neuroscience