A hazard ratio of 0.31 sounds dramatic; 1.5% falling to 0.5% over two years sounds modest. Both describe the same result.
Patients make better decisions — and are less likely to feel misled later — when given the absolute risk with and without treatment over a stated time. Turn it into a number needed to treat when that helps: a 1-point absolute fall over two years means treating about 100 people for two years to prevent one event.
Give the harms in the same currency, and the same time frame, so the two can be weighed fairly.
- Lead with absolute risk over a stated period
- Convert to a number needed to treat when the patient finds it helpful
- Present harms in the same units and time frame as benefits
- Keep relative risk for comparisons between treatments, not for consent
Why it matters
Relative risk alone makes small benefits look large and erodes trust when patients learn the real numbers.
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