Questionnaire survey on use of placebo

Abstract

Objectives: To gauge the frequency and circumstances of use of placebo in clinical practice and the attitudes towards its use among those who administer it. Design: Retrospective questionnaire. Setting: Two large hospitals and various community clinics in the Jerusalem area. Participants: 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. Main outcome measures: 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. Conclusion: 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.