Baffled by Numbers

Navigating information towards better health decisions

Talya Miron-Shatz, Ph.D., is a researcher at Princeton University. She specializes in medical decision making of patients and health professionals. See full bio

July 6, 2009, Behavioral Economics

Holding Becky's Hand

"You're doing fine" can heal the heart

Becky was wounded in a vicious accident, almost 4 months ago. In fact, she hates the term ‘accident' as it implies this may have been her fault. It wasn't. A rocket hit Becky's car on way home from work. She suffered injury to her stomach and thigh, which almost cost her life. She is better now, way better, but the physical pain is still there, as are the gap between what she used to be, and who she is now. She is fighting still. Struggling with staircases, long walks, physiotherapy and bad memories. And with the fear of the unknown which lies ahead - the gnawing suspicion that she may never be well. As strong willed as they come, and just as independent, Becky is not one for sugar coating. Her words, I think, speak for themselves:

"I had several good days - with myself, but also with doctors. Some of them really like me. It is wonderful and unexpected when a plastic surgeon takes my hand, holds it and says - Becky, you are wonderful and you are doing great and don't worry - everything's going to be just fine."
The surgeon's gesture provided Becky with multiple kinds of ammunition to help her fight the good battle. He acknowledged her as a person who has a name and a personality, and he also projected a future for her, one she could live with.

Decision scientists would say the surgeon provided Becky with a reference point, against which she could now assess her progress. As Kahneman and Tversky's ground breaking, Noble Prize winning work demonstrated, people assess the value of, well, anything, against a reference point. No value exists in thin air. Thus, a stale biscuit may seem revolting when compared with a luscious cake, yet tempting when measured against the prospect of starving. So when Becky measured her tattered, recovering self against who she used to be, she seemed to be doing poorly. And she cannot help but gauge how much she has lost. But when the surgeon measured Becky, he did this against the backdrop of other patients he has seen over the years, moving on a trajectory from a mess of blood and bone, to fully functioning individuals, practically as good as new. Thanks to him, Becky can now assess what she stands to gain. She can now place herself on such a trajectory, knowing that, even though it may not feel like it, she is doing well, even better than predicted, and that this is all part of recovery. It will be over, some day.

Becky - I did not tell them your real name, but I kept your words. Hang in there, I love you.

Sistine Chapel