Description
The nature of the relationship between risk experts –whether as individuals, professions or organisations- and their audiences and consumers may vary widely in terms of openness, trust and maturity. The general principles of risk communication are explored, then illustrated using three case studies relevant to anaesthetic practice. First, we address the issue of how much should be disclosed about anaesthetic risks in the context of informed consent. Second, we outline various ways of communicating risk to patients, verbal, numerical and visual. Third, we explore how external political pressures can impose risks on patients undergoing anaesthesia.
