Measuring Patient Perspectives

In research, we focus on statistical significance to demonstrate that our sample represents the true population. We then look to clinical significance that provides an effect size informing us about the magnitude of interventions. However, clinicians and researchers rarely consider Patient Significance, which informs us of the contextual importance patients place on outcomes within interventions. If an intervention effect is large, but the patient would not consider it because of the risks or burdens, this must be accounted for in our development and use of treatments.

In our current project, we are estimating the smallest worthwhile difference (SWD) for psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder. This identifies the smallest treatment effect that patients deem worthwhile between two treatment options, while accounting for the risks, costs, and inconveniences of treatment.