Statistical Literacy in the Orthopaedic Trauma Population

Objective: To evaluate the baseline level and demographic predictors of statistical literacy in orthopaedic patients who sustained traumatic injuries. Design: Prospective observational. Setting: Level 1 trauma center. Patients: One hundred ninety-eight patients presenting to the orthopaedic trauma clinic. Intervention: Berlin Numeracy Test (BNT) and General Health Numeracy Test-6 (GHNT-6). Results: When assessed using the BNT, 67% of patients had results that placed them into the lowest quartile of objective numeracy skills. Only 3.5% of patients had results that scored in the top quartile. Our multivariate ordinal regression model demonstrated lower education level (P = 0.01), and older age (P = 0.03) were significant predictors of poor performance on the BNT. The mean score on the GHNT-6 was 36% (SD 30%). Conclusions: In a cohort of traumatically injured patients, poor statistical literacy was common, occurring in more than two-thirds of patient surveyed. Older age and lower levels of education were predictive of poor BNT performance and should be considered when discussing surgical options, associated risks, and likelihood of potential complications.