Susan J Blalock1, Adam Sage2, Michael Bitonti3, Payal Patel3, Rebecca Dickinson4, Peter Knapp5. 1. Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States. Electronic address: s_blalock@unc.edu. 2. Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States. 3. Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States. 4. School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. 5. Department of Health Sciences and the Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Fuzzy trace theory was used to examine the effect of information concerning medication benefits and side-effects on willingness to use a hypothetical medication. METHODS: Participants (N=999) were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Using 3×5 experimental research design, each participant viewed information about medication side effects in 1 of 3 formats and information about medication benefits in 1 of 5 formats. For both side-effects and benefits, one format presented only non-numeric information and the remaining formats presented numeric information. RESULTS: Individuals in the non-numeric side-effect condition were less likely to take the medication than those in the numeric conditions (p<0.0001). In contrast, individuals in the non-numeric benefit condition were more likely to take the medication than those in the numeric conditions (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that non-numeric side-effect information conveys the gist that the medication can cause harm, decreasing willingness to use the medication; whereas non-numeric benefit information has the opposite effect. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Presenting side-effect and benefit information in non-numeric format appears to bias decision-making in opposite directions. Providing numeric information for both benefits and side-effects may enhance decision-making. However, providing numeric benefit information may decrease adherence, creating ethical dilemmas for providers.
OBJECTIVES: Fuzzy trace theory was used to examine the effect of information concerning medication benefits and side-effects on willingness to use a hypothetical medication. METHODS:Participants (N=999) were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Using 3×5 experimental research design, each participant viewed information about medication side effects in 1 of 3 formats and information about medication benefits in 1 of 5 formats. For both side-effects and benefits, one format presented only non-numeric information and the remaining formats presented numeric information. RESULTS: Individuals in the non-numeric side-effect condition were less likely to take the medication than those in the numeric conditions (p<0.0001). In contrast, individuals in the non-numeric benefit condition were more likely to take the medication than those in the numeric conditions (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that non-numeric side-effect information conveys the gist that the medication can cause harm, decreasing willingness to use the medication; whereas non-numeric benefit information has the opposite effect. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Presenting side-effect and benefit information in non-numeric format appears to bias decision-making in opposite directions. Providing numeric information for both benefits and side-effects may enhance decision-making. However, providing numeric benefit information may decrease adherence, creating ethical dilemmas for providers.
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