Do doctors understand test results?

[Northerner]

Are doctors confused by statistics? A new book by one prominent statistician says they are - and that this makes it hard for patients to make informed decisions about treatment.

In 1992, shortly after Gerd Gigerenzer moved to Chicago, he took his six-year-old daughter to the dentist. She didn't have toothache, but he thought it was about time she got acquainted with the routine of sitting in the big reclining chair and being prodded with pointy objects.

The clinic had other ideas. "The dentist wanted to X-ray her," Gigerenzer recalls. "I told first the nurse, and then him, that she had no pains and I wanted him to do a clinical examination, not an X-ray."

These words went down as well as a gulp of dental mouthwash. The dentist argued that he might miss something if he didn't perform an X-ray, and Gigerenzer would be responsible.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28166019

 

[Fluffy Jo]

I don't know about the Doctors understanding test results ...but I know my Doctors receptionists don't. When I went there the other week to get my blood test results.....I asked receptionist if she could print off my HbA1c results for me...she said she didn't know how and could I come back later...I said ok..but can you tell me the results now...to which she looked at her screen and said...oh yes...theyre normal !!

 

[trophywench]

Well when you get One Like That, I DO find the response that's most effective is if you giggle, and sound like you are wiping tears of laughter from your eyes, then say Oh no DEAR! I'm sure they are in 'Normal' range - but I what I need to know are the ACTUAL NUMBERS !