Changing mindsets about side effects

Published in: BMJ Open - February 2021

Written by

Kari Leibowitz, Lauren Howe and Alia Crum

Summary

What we found: Describing side effects as a sign that a medical treatment is working decreases patient’s anxiety and improves their experience of medical treatment.

Why it matters: Side effects are a particularly challenging part of medical care, but changing mindsets about what they mean can help patients to cope with them. Mindsets are powerful and can shape how we face challenges.

What next: Organizations should consider how they communicate about difficult matters and whether there are opportunities to shape mindsets in ways that help employees cope with these challenges.