Patients' reaction to the disclosure of rare dreaded adverse events.

BACKGROUND Physicians must frequently inform their patients of the risks of rare, but serious, adverse events (AEs). OBJECTIVE To examine how patients react to the disclosure of rare AEs. METHODS Outpatients viewed a video of a physician describing a medication associated with a rare AE. Subjects then rated their worry, perceived chance of developing the AE, and willingness to take the medication. RESULTS Non-White men were more likely to perceive a greater chance of developing the AE compared to White men [Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) = 3.37 (1.09-10.45)]; White women were more likely to be worried [2.00 (0.95-4.24)] and to perceive a greater chance of developing the [6.22 (2.50-15.50)], perceive a greater chance of developing the AE [6.27 (2.43-16.15)], and be less willing to take the medication [0.23 (0.09-0.59)], compared to White men. CONCLUSIONS Gender and ethnicity influence how patients react to disclosure of rare, but serious, AEs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS An improved understanding of patients' risk perceptions is required to inform the development of best practices to improve risk communication.