Placebos in Australian general practice: A national survey of physician use, beliefs and attitudes

“A wolf in sheep's clothing”: when so‐called placebo interventions are not what they seem

“…Although these studies may be criticised for the potential benefits being driven by the placebo effect, we argue that the placebo effect is now an accepted part of any intervention. Indeed, prescribing placebos is common among medical professionals, [13][14][15] despite knowing that the treatments they are administering have no therapeutic effect per se. The ethical implications of such practice are beyond the scope of this Perspective, but the practice highlights a willingness to accept that the placebo effect contributes to the effectiveness of therapies.…”

Time to reflect on open-label placebos and their value for clinical practice

“…Surveys from 2008, 2010, and 2019 conducted in primary care settings in Australia and the United States found that many doctors have prescribed a placebo at least once (from 55% to 80%). 12,14,30 Surveys from 2019 and 2020 conducted in Australia and the United States have also found that people with symptoms believed by the doctors to be psychosomatic, medically unexplained, and pain-or fatigue-related conditions (such as postviral syndromes) were more likely to be prescribed a placebo. 2,12 Despite a large percentage of doctors reporting using placebos, the frequency of placebo prescribing is not known.…”

“…12,14,30 Surveys from 2019 and 2020 conducted in Australia and the United States have also found that people with symptoms believed by the doctors to be psychosomatic, medically unexplained, and pain-or fatigue-related conditions (such as postviral syndromes) were more likely to be prescribed a placebo. 2,12 Despite a large percentage of doctors reporting using placebos, the frequency of placebo prescribing is not known. Nonetheless, surveys do offer clear evidence of an inclination for placebo use by clinicians.…”

Placebo Studies and Patient Care: Where Are the Nurses?

“…Research suggests that placebo use by physicians is common in primary care; for example, in 2013, a largescale UK survey found that 77% of GPs prescribed impure placebos at least once per week (13). In 2019, a survey in Australia found that 39% of surveyed GPs had prescribed pure placebos, and 77% had prescribed impure placebos (15). In 2020, in a US survey some PCPs admitted prescribing placebos more often for pain disorders, functional disorders, or for medically unexplained symptoms than for other medical conditions (16).…”