Questionnaire survey on use of placebo.
OBJECTIVE
To gauge the frequency and circumstances of use of placebo in clinical practice and the attitudes towards its use among those who administer it.


METHODS
Retrospective questionnaire.


METHODS
Two large hospitals and various community clinics in the Jerusalem area.


METHODS
31 physicians working in hospital inpatient and outpatient departments, 31 head nurses working in hospital inpatient departments, and 27 family physicians working in community clinics.


METHODS
Self report of frequency and circumstances of, and attitudes towards, use of placebo.


RESULTS
Among the 89 respondents, 53 (60%) used placebos (95% confidence interval 49% to 70%). Among users, 33 (62%) prescribed a placebo as often as once a month or more; 36 (68%) told patients they were receiving actual medication; 15 (28%) considered that placebos were a diagnostic tool; and 48/51 (94%) reported that they found placebos generally or occasionally effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Most practitioners questioned in this study continue to use placebos. Used wisely, placebos might have a legitimate place in therapeutics. Wider recognition of the practice and debate about its implications are imperative.
Nitzan
Uriel
U
Herzog Hospital and Hadassah School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, POB 35300, Jerusalem 91351, Israel.
Lichtenberg
Pesach
P
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010919:Placebos