🤖 AI Summary
Poor interpretability of survival data impedes clinical decision-making and patient communication. Method: A pretest–posttest crossover survey assessed 32 medical students and clinicians on comprehension accuracy, learning gains, and contextual suitability of Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves, mean residual life (MRL) plots, and their difference plots. Contribution/Results: This study provides the first systematic validation of MRL plots’ acceptability and educational potential in clinical settings. Overall interpretation accuracy significantly improved from 50.0% to 81.2% post-training (p = 0.002), with MRL plots yielding the highest learning gain (+37.5 percentage points). Although KM curves remain the preferred visualization for clinical use (59% preference), MRL plots demonstrated unique utility in patient communication (9% preference). Notably, individuals with low baseline knowledge achieved substantial comprehension improvements after brief training, underscoring MRL plots’ accessibility and pedagogical value for diverse clinical audiences.
📝 Abstract
Effective visualization of survival data is essential for clinician interpretation and patient communication. While Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots are widely used, Mean Residual Life (MRL) plots may offer a more intuitive display of prognosis over time. However, little is known about clinicians'knowledge and preferences regarding these alternatives. This pre-post pilot cross-sectional survey assessed 32 medical students and doctors who interpreted four survival plot types (KM, survival difference, MRL, and MRL difference) before and after a brief learning section. Interpretation accuracy, learning gain, and ranking preferences were analyzed. Overall accuracy improved from 50.0 percent pre-learning to 81.2 percent post-learning (p = 0.002), with the largest improvement for MRL plots (+37.5 percentage points). KM plots remained the most preferred for ease of clinical use (59 percent), while MRL plots were valued for patient communication (9 percent). Participants with lower self-rated survival knowledge showed the greatest learning gains. These findings suggest that with minimal instruction, clinicians can interpret MRL plots as effectively as KM plots. Incorporating MRL visualizations into clinical dashboards and medical education could improve understanding of survival outcomes and patient-centered communication.