BMJ  2004;329 (23 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7472.0-a

Clinicians believe patients benefit from placebos

Three out of five doctors and head nurses surveyed in Israel prescribe placebo to their patients, believing it is useful. Nitzan and Lichtenberg (p 944) surveyed 58 doctors and 31 nurses from hospital and general practice, and found that among those using placebo, 62% used it at least once a month, and 94% thought it was generally or occasionally effective. Only one in 20 respondents would prohibit the use of placebo in all circumstances.

Credit: GARO/PHANIE/REX

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Questionnaire survey on use of placebo

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BMJ 2004 329: 944-946. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]