RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Risk communication in the clinical consultation JF Clinical Medicine JO Clin Med FD Royal College of Physicians SP 465 OP 469 DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.5-5-465 VO 5 IS 5 A1 Richard Thomson A1 Adrian Edwards A1 Jenny Grey YR 2005 UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/5/5/465.abstract AB Modern healthcare and modern societies are facing up to the need for greater engagement of patients in treatment decisions. Shared and informed decision-making is replacing traditional paternalistic approaches to decisions; health policy both reflects and drives these changes. A critical contribution to better informed decisions by patients is the effective communication of risk in the clinical consultation. This is not straightforward, but there is a growing evidence base to improve performance in this area to the benefit of both patients and clinicians. The purpose of this review is to provide an accessible and practical guide to better communication of risk by clinicians.