nabeel: January 2008 Archives

An interesting program about how doctors give patients placebos. Hey if  they work, then that's great. Less problems for everyone all around.

The doctors gave several reasons for their use of placebos.  Some said they used them to help calm a patient, or in answer to demands for medicine that the doctor felt was not needed.  Others said they had ordered placebos for their patients after all other treatments had failed. 

Ninety-six percent of the doctors who answered said they believed that placebos could have helpful effects.  But twelve percent said they believe the use of placebos should be banned in traditional medical care.  Many feel giving a patient a placebo is like lying to them.

96% is quite a large margin of doctors who think it will help, it must make a difference if they are consistently prescribing it. Personally, I don't see a problem with it ethically, patients want the best care. If a doctor thinks it's more advantageous, then they should give the placebo.  I think a lot of people think that only proper drugs can help them, the "lazy person's way out", a miracle drug/cure for everything.

"Oh doctor.... I can't concentrate... gimme something..."

Click to read the whole article