title: The patient's perspective of placebo use in daily practice: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of placebo outside of randomised controlled trials raises ethical and legal issues. So far, patients' perspectives have been considered only in quantitative studies. These studies did not distinguish between pure placebos (no pharmacological effect) and impure placebos (pharmacological ingredient, but no disease-specific effect). The aim of our study was to explore patients' conceptualisation, experiences and attitudes regarding the use of placebos in daily clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study with a convenience sample of 12 patients and semistructured interviews. The interviews were digitally recorded; full transcripts were obtained. The information was analysed in accordance with the qualitative content analysis method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The definition of placebo given by the participants mostly matched the common understanding of a pure placebo. Most participants supposed that placebos were mainly effective in diseases in which psychological influences play an important role. Furthermore, most participants believed that placebos themselves mainly worked via psychological effects. The acceptance of a hypothetical earlier use of a placebo depended on the success of the therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients were not aware of the differences between pure and impure placebos. Even regarding pure placebos, patients were more open than many physicians would expect. Trust between the patient and the general practitioner is an important element of the acceptance of a placebo. Appropriate communication could further increase the acceptance. Further research is needed to adapt the information given to the patient about possible placebo therapy.
authors: Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Zurich, SWITZERLAND; ryan.tandjung@usz.ch.
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: Tandjung
authors: Hongjian
authors: H
authors: Tang
authors: Margrit
authors: M
authors: Fässler
authors: Carola A
authors: CA
authors: Huber
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Rosemann
authors: Rahel
authors: R
authors: Fent
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Badertscher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015990:Placebo Effect; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D035502:Trust; D014342:Truth Disclosure
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos