 The way a physician presents statistics on the risks and benefits of a specific   medical intervention can have a profound effect on the decisions patients make   concerning treatment. 

 Study participants presented with only relative risk figures were twice as   likely to choose chemotherapy as those presented with absolute risk figures.   When subjects were given statistics in four of the most common ways of presenting   survival datarelative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction, absolute   survival benefit, and number needed to treatparticipants reported being   confused and less able to make a decision at all. 

 The researchers concluded that the most effective and least confusing way   of presenting data is to use absolute risk reduction and to explain the data   using charts or other visual aids that help ensure that all patients make fully   informed health-care decisions. 

 Hede K. When 50 percent is not the same as a coin toss: study   examines decisions made based on statistics. 

. 2004;96:737-738   and Chao C, Studts JL, Abell T, et al. Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer:   how presentation of recurrence risk influences decision-making. 