How Antagonistic Can Doctor’s Bias Be on Drug Effect?

Abstract

Twenty-three neurotic outpatients were examined and their symptoms evaluated by both their own and the doctor’s questionnaires. Strict outpatient-clinic routine was kept. Estimation was done on the patient’s expectations, motivations for treatment, as well as the doctor’s evaluation of the patient’s feelings and the doctor’s own feelings towards the patient. Results pointed to a good improvement rate in the lessening of anxiety and somatic concern by Oxazepam. No antagonistic influence on drug effect by motivational factors or feelings of the therapist could be detected.