Alistair Thorpe
@athorpe8.bsky.social
Research Assistant Professor at University of Utah || Passionate about public health and health communication || Gauche
https://medicine.utah.edu/population-health-sciences/divisions/hsir/pccds
https://medicine.utah.edu/population-health-sciences/divisions/hsir/pccds
Pinned
Alistair Thorpe
@athorpe8.bsky.social
· Sep 25
Clinicians can enhance patient understanding by using numerical data instead of verbal probabilities, consistent denominators, absolute risk comparisons, and clear context for unfamiliar data types.
ja.ma/4pAC3zi
ja.ma/4pAC3zi
I couldn’t be prouder to have worked on this JAMA Insights article with @angiefagerlin.bsky.social and @bzikmund.bsky.social—five key strategies for communicating medical numbers clearly and meaningfully, so patients can make informed decisions!
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
I like to jokingly say "numbers are hard" when I make a mental math error.
But in all seriousness, it can be difficult for many to grasp numerical information, especially when it lacks rich context.
#SciComm #MedicalCommunications
(1/7) 🧪
But in all seriousness, it can be difficult for many to grasp numerical information, especially when it lacks rich context.
#SciComm #MedicalCommunications
(1/7) 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I like to jokingly say "numbers are hard" when I make a mental math error.
But in all seriousness, it can be difficult for many to grasp numerical information, especially when it lacks rich context.
#SciComm #MedicalCommunications
(1/7) 🧪
But in all seriousness, it can be difficult for many to grasp numerical information, especially when it lacks rich context.
#SciComm #MedicalCommunications
(1/7) 🧪
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
SMDM 48th Annual Meeting at University of Oslo announces Call for Abstracts, Symposia, and Short Courses. Learn more here: smdm.org/meeting/48th...
#AnnualMeeting #MedicalDecisionMaking #Oslo #SMDM
#AnnualMeeting #MedicalDecisionMaking #Oslo #SMDM
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
SMDM 48th Annual Meeting at University of Oslo announces Call for Abstracts, Symposia, and Short Courses. Learn more here: smdm.org/meeting/48th...
#AnnualMeeting #MedicalDecisionMaking #Oslo #SMDM
#AnnualMeeting #MedicalDecisionMaking #Oslo #SMDM
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Presenting numbers using evidence-based strategies may support patient understanding and engagement in care. Nice work @bzikmund.bsky.social @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @athorpe8.bsky.social jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
How to Communicate Medical Numbers
This JAMA Insights provides evidence-based recommendations for communicating numerical information to patients.
jamanetwork.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Presenting numbers using evidence-based strategies may support patient understanding and engagement in care. Nice work @bzikmund.bsky.social @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @athorpe8.bsky.social jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
How to Communicate Medical Numbers-a @jama.com Insight from @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @athorpe8.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social, @bzikmund.bsky.social @umich.edu
Read and listen to the podcast for useful tips and tools that could improve patient health+lives. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Read and listen to the podcast for useful tips and tools that could improve patient health+lives. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
September 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
How to Communicate Medical Numbers-a @jama.com Insight from @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @athorpe8.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social, @bzikmund.bsky.social @umich.edu
Read and listen to the podcast for useful tips and tools that could improve patient health+lives. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Read and listen to the podcast for useful tips and tools that could improve patient health+lives. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
I couldn’t be prouder to have worked on this JAMA Insights article with @angiefagerlin.bsky.social and @bzikmund.bsky.social—five key strategies for communicating medical numbers clearly and meaningfully, so patients can make informed decisions!
Clinicians can enhance patient understanding by using numerical data instead of verbal probabilities, consistent denominators, absolute risk comparisons, and clear context for unfamiliar data types.
ja.ma/4pAC3zi
ja.ma/4pAC3zi
September 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I couldn’t be prouder to have worked on this JAMA Insights article with @angiefagerlin.bsky.social and @bzikmund.bsky.social—five key strategies for communicating medical numbers clearly and meaningfully, so patients can make informed decisions!
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
How to Report Research on the Communication of Health-Related Numbers: The Research on Communicating Numbers (ReCoN) Guidelines
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@smdm.bsky.social @bzikmund.bsky.social @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@smdm.bsky.social @bzikmund.bsky.social @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
How to Report Research on the Communication of Health-Related Numbers: The Research on Communicating Numbers (ReCoN) Guidelines - Natalie C. Benda, Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, Jessica S. Ancker, 2025
Background Research with lay audiences (e.g., patients, the public) can inform the communication of health-related numerical information. However, a recent syst...
journals.sagepub.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
How to Report Research on the Communication of Health-Related Numbers: The Research on Communicating Numbers (ReCoN) Guidelines
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@smdm.bsky.social @bzikmund.bsky.social @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@smdm.bsky.social @bzikmund.bsky.social @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
SMDM Members! Share your news about a new appointment, a project you are working on, or other activities to peak interest among members and identify potential collaborators. 💡 www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZVD53JJ
#SMDM
#SMDM
SMDMers in the News - What Have You Been Working On? Survey
Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.
www.surveymonkey.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
SMDM Members! Share your news about a new appointment, a project you are working on, or other activities to peak interest among members and identify potential collaborators. 💡 www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZVD53JJ
#SMDM
#SMDM
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Our new research shows that explaining the nature of illness and providing point-of-care test results to patients might be just quite useful tools to calibrate their antibiotic expectations (changing threshold but also discernment)... #antibiotic @abc-network.bsky.social @essexuni.bsky.social
New registered report out in BJHP📣
How to reduce demand for antibiotics?
Using Signal Detection Theory, we show that clinician explanations & CRP point-of-care results reduce antibiotic expectations and improve discernment
doi.org/10.1111/bjhp...
#PsychSciSky @rhulpsychology.bsky.social
How to reduce demand for antibiotics?
Using Signal Detection Theory, we show that clinician explanations & CRP point-of-care results reduce antibiotic expectations and improve discernment
doi.org/10.1111/bjhp...
#PsychSciSky @rhulpsychology.bsky.social
<em>British Journal of Health Psychology</em> | Wiley Online Library
Objectives Patients' expectations for antibiotics are among the strongest predictors of clinicians' decisions to overprescribe antibiotics. In this registered report, we used a signal detection theo...
doi.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Our new research shows that explaining the nature of illness and providing point-of-care test results to patients might be just quite useful tools to calibrate their antibiotic expectations (changing threshold but also discernment)... #antibiotic @abc-network.bsky.social @essexuni.bsky.social
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
I had an interesting 2nd day at #ICBM2025 in Vienna today. In our session, I presented our work on communicating about #AMR and pudent antibiotic use when new antibiotics are developed.
Please visit @abc-network.bsky.social if you are interested in the emerging field of behavioral research and AMR.
Please visit @abc-network.bsky.social if you are interested in the emerging field of behavioral research and AMR.
August 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I had an interesting 2nd day at #ICBM2025 in Vienna today. In our session, I presented our work on communicating about #AMR and pudent antibiotic use when new antibiotics are developed.
Please visit @abc-network.bsky.social if you are interested in the emerging field of behavioral research and AMR.
Please visit @abc-network.bsky.social if you are interested in the emerging field of behavioral research and AMR.
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Lucy Bronze on how she decided to blast her penalty down the middle (and score).
“Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.
“Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.
July 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Lucy Bronze on how she decided to blast her penalty down the middle (and score).
“Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.
“Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
@smdm.bsky.social Alistair Thorpe shares Digital Communication updates. He and his cmte have excellent insights on improving our social media presence. If you’re an SMDM member and fancy yourself as an influencer(!) connect with Alistair.
June 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
@smdm.bsky.social Alistair Thorpe shares Digital Communication updates. He and his cmte have excellent insights on improving our social media presence. If you’re an SMDM member and fancy yourself as an influencer(!) connect with Alistair.
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
@smdm.bsky.social
Welcome to the Big House!
Welcome to the Big House!
June 17, 2025 at 2:05 AM
@smdm.bsky.social
Welcome to the Big House!
Welcome to the Big House!
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
How awesome is this?!
JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com - an open access journal in the JAMA Network - is now on BlueSky!
#MedSky
JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com - an open access journal in the JAMA Network - is now on BlueSky!
#MedSky
June 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
How awesome is this?!
JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com - an open access journal in the JAMA Network - is now on BlueSky!
#MedSky
JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com - an open access journal in the JAMA Network - is now on BlueSky!
#MedSky
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Attending #SMDM25? Take your experience to the next level by adding a Short Course to your meeting registration! Dive deeper into key topics and sharpen your skills with expert-led sessions.
🔗 Register now: crm.smdm.org/civicrm/even...
#MedicalDecisionMaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #SMDM
🔗 Register now: crm.smdm.org/civicrm/even...
#MedicalDecisionMaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #SMDM
June 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Attending #SMDM25? Take your experience to the next level by adding a Short Course to your meeting registration! Dive deeper into key topics and sharpen your skills with expert-led sessions.
🔗 Register now: crm.smdm.org/civicrm/even...
#MedicalDecisionMaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #SMDM
🔗 Register now: crm.smdm.org/civicrm/even...
#MedicalDecisionMaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #SMDM
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Feeling quite refreshed after another awesome Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit today! Always impressed by the speakers and enjoy the networking across the state at this annual event. Was great meeting @athorpe8.bsky.social @helennewland.bsky.social and many others! #IDSky #AMSky
May 31, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Feeling quite refreshed after another awesome Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit today! Always impressed by the speakers and enjoy the networking across the state at this annual event. Was great meeting @athorpe8.bsky.social @helennewland.bsky.social and many others! #IDSky #AMSky
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
@evakrockow.bsky.social kick-starting the workshop on Behavioral insights and AMR with her talk about AMR risk communication... we need to communicate about AMR better.
May 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM
@evakrockow.bsky.social kick-starting the workshop on Behavioral insights and AMR with her talk about AMR risk communication... we need to communicate about AMR better.
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
🎧 New #SHEAPodcast! Dr. Jonathan Ryder & Dr. Milner Staub explore outpatient stewardship: penicillin allergy delabeling & reducing antibiotic overuse in bronchitis.
Listen now👇
iTunes: apple.co/4dlk9e7
SoundCloud: bit.ly/4jSGemJ
Spotify: spoti.fi/4jXVv5W
Listen now👇
iTunes: apple.co/4dlk9e7
SoundCloud: bit.ly/4jSGemJ
Spotify: spoti.fi/4jXVv5W
May 14, 2025 at 10:38 PM
🎧 New #SHEAPodcast! Dr. Jonathan Ryder & Dr. Milner Staub explore outpatient stewardship: penicillin allergy delabeling & reducing antibiotic overuse in bronchitis.
Listen now👇
iTunes: apple.co/4dlk9e7
SoundCloud: bit.ly/4jSGemJ
Spotify: spoti.fi/4jXVv5W
Listen now👇
iTunes: apple.co/4dlk9e7
SoundCloud: bit.ly/4jSGemJ
Spotify: spoti.fi/4jXVv5W
Looking forward to sharing our work at #SMDM25 - teasers below! 🌟
· Using medical decision making research to support antibiotic allergy delabeling (Talk) 🦠🪪
· A decision aid and values clarification RCT for supporting parents of a fetus with a life-threatening heart defect (Poster) ♥️ 👨👩👧
· Using medical decision making research to support antibiotic allergy delabeling (Talk) 🦠🪪
· A decision aid and values clarification RCT for supporting parents of a fetus with a life-threatening heart defect (Poster) ♥️ 👨👩👧
Get ready for #SMDM25 in Ann Arbor! 🎉 Alistair Thorpe presents 16 June 9:15 am on what US adults w/ self-reported antibiotic allergies think about delabeling.
He's also looking forward to clinician cross talk, and reconnecting with colleagues!
#MedicalDecisionMaking
He's also looking forward to clinician cross talk, and reconnecting with colleagues!
#MedicalDecisionMaking
May 7, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Looking forward to sharing our work at #SMDM25 - teasers below! 🌟
· Using medical decision making research to support antibiotic allergy delabeling (Talk) 🦠🪪
· A decision aid and values clarification RCT for supporting parents of a fetus with a life-threatening heart defect (Poster) ♥️ 👨👩👧
· Using medical decision making research to support antibiotic allergy delabeling (Talk) 🦠🪪
· A decision aid and values clarification RCT for supporting parents of a fetus with a life-threatening heart defect (Poster) ♥️ 👨👩👧
Had a fantastic time at UAB giving the Infectious Diseases Grand Rounds last week. Great discussions on improving abx use, awesome food, and a UAB ID beer release!
Special thanks to @doctorrachael.bsky.social @tmccarty2010.bsky.social & Becky Anderson for the invite and hospitality
#AMR #IDsky
Special thanks to @doctorrachael.bsky.social @tmccarty2010.bsky.social & Becky Anderson for the invite and hospitality
#AMR #IDsky
April 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Had a fantastic time at UAB giving the Infectious Diseases Grand Rounds last week. Great discussions on improving abx use, awesome food, and a UAB ID beer release!
Special thanks to @doctorrachael.bsky.social @tmccarty2010.bsky.social & Becky Anderson for the invite and hospitality
#AMR #IDsky
Special thanks to @doctorrachael.bsky.social @tmccarty2010.bsky.social & Becky Anderson for the invite and hospitality
#AMR #IDsky
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Are you passionate about health care decision making? Join the Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM) and connect with a global network of experts driving innovation in medical decision science! 🧠
Learn more and become a member today 👉 loom.ly/jRkLGQ8
#SMDM
Learn more and become a member today 👉 loom.ly/jRkLGQ8
#SMDM
April 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Are you passionate about health care decision making? Join the Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM) and connect with a global network of experts driving innovation in medical decision science! 🧠
Learn more and become a member today 👉 loom.ly/jRkLGQ8
#SMDM
Learn more and become a member today 👉 loom.ly/jRkLGQ8
#SMDM
I had such an amazing time, thank you all very much for having me and the great conversations about improving abx use!
Disclaimer: they are not joking when they say they feed you!! 😅
Disclaimer: they are not joking when they say they feed you!! 😅
Thanks @athorpe8.bsky.social for coming to UAB for ID grand rounds today! When you come to Alabama, we will feed you! @tmccarty2010.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I had such an amazing time, thank you all very much for having me and the great conversations about improving abx use!
Disclaimer: they are not joking when they say they feed you!! 😅
Disclaimer: they are not joking when they say they feed you!! 😅
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Joined today to promote our paper! Proud to be a part of this team. @athorpe8.bsky.social @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @valerievaughnmd.bsky.social
Super excited to share key findings from our study in JAMA NO!
Freq abx users (≥3 in 12mo) more likely to report:
-wanting abx for an URI 💊
-Needing help w/health-related materials 📖
-Medical maximizing (prefer to act vs watch/wait) 🚀
-Disbelief in science 🚫🔬
💻: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Freq abx users (≥3 in 12mo) more likely to report:
-wanting abx for an URI 💊
-Needing help w/health-related materials 📖
-Medical maximizing (prefer to act vs watch/wait) 🚀
-Disbelief in science 🚫🔬
💻: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Characteristics and Antibiotic Preferences by Frequency of Antibiotic Use
This survey study compares demographic characteristics, beliefs, and antibiotic preferences of US adults who frequently use antibiotics with those who have not used antibiotics over the past year.
jamanetwork.com
April 2, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Joined today to promote our paper! Proud to be a part of this team. @athorpe8.bsky.social @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @valerievaughnmd.bsky.social
Super excited to share key findings from our study in JAMA NO!
Freq abx users (≥3 in 12mo) more likely to report:
-wanting abx for an URI 💊
-Needing help w/health-related materials 📖
-Medical maximizing (prefer to act vs watch/wait) 🚀
-Disbelief in science 🚫🔬
💻: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Freq abx users (≥3 in 12mo) more likely to report:
-wanting abx for an URI 💊
-Needing help w/health-related materials 📖
-Medical maximizing (prefer to act vs watch/wait) 🚀
-Disbelief in science 🚫🔬
💻: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Characteristics and Antibiotic Preferences by Frequency of Antibiotic Use
This survey study compares demographic characteristics, beliefs, and antibiotic preferences of US adults who frequently use antibiotics with those who have not used antibiotics over the past year.
jamanetwork.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Super excited to share key findings from our study in JAMA NO!
Freq abx users (≥3 in 12mo) more likely to report:
-wanting abx for an URI 💊
-Needing help w/health-related materials 📖
-Medical maximizing (prefer to act vs watch/wait) 🚀
-Disbelief in science 🚫🔬
💻: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Freq abx users (≥3 in 12mo) more likely to report:
-wanting abx for an URI 💊
-Needing help w/health-related materials 📖
-Medical maximizing (prefer to act vs watch/wait) 🚀
-Disbelief in science 🚫🔬
💻: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
The Making Numbers Meaningful Systematic Review papers are now available! Review of 316 papers on communicating health-related probabilities to the public. 1,119 findings. Methods / scoping paper, 6 evidence summary papers, 5 editorials. All open access.
journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
February 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The Making Numbers Meaningful Systematic Review papers are now available! Review of 316 papers on communicating health-related probabilities to the public. 1,119 findings. Methods / scoping paper, 6 evidence summary papers, 5 editorials. All open access.
journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
Reposted by Alistair Thorpe
Exciting work from ABC Network members: news about new antibiotics shapes public views on #AMR - who knew!
@riangross.bsky.social @elisie.bsky.social @mariejuanchich.bsky.social @miroslavsirota.bsky.social @corneliabetsch.bsky.social @robertboehm.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jacamr/artic...
@riangross.bsky.social @elisie.bsky.social @mariejuanchich.bsky.social @miroslavsirota.bsky.social @corneliabetsch.bsky.social @robertboehm.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jacamr/artic...
Emphasizing the importance of prudent antibiotic use decreases unrealistic perceptions of new antibiotic discoveries
AbstractBackground. The 2024 discovery of a new class of antibiotics is cause for cautious celebration. However, media coverage of this discovery shows ove
academic.oup.com
March 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Exciting work from ABC Network members: news about new antibiotics shapes public views on #AMR - who knew!
@riangross.bsky.social @elisie.bsky.social @mariejuanchich.bsky.social @miroslavsirota.bsky.social @corneliabetsch.bsky.social @robertboehm.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jacamr/artic...
@riangross.bsky.social @elisie.bsky.social @mariejuanchich.bsky.social @miroslavsirota.bsky.social @corneliabetsch.bsky.social @robertboehm.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jacamr/artic...