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Table 3 Opinions regarding placebo use, mechanisms and concerns

From: A survey on beliefs and attitudes of trainee surgeons towards placebo

Question

N

Responded Yes (%)

In which on the following situations have you considered placebo? (more than one option allowed)

180

 

 As a diagnostic tool

 

64 (36)

When all other therapies have been exhausted

 

50 (28)

As a treatment for a non-specific symptoms

 

44 (24)

Instead of surgery, when using surgery was not justified

 

39 (22)

As a supplement to surgery

 

34 (19)

To calm a patient or mollify a complaining patient

 

25 (14)

To control pain

 

61 (34)

To maintain a good relationship with a patient

 

12 (7)

Never as a formal treatment option outside of research

 

71 (40)

What are your concerns regarding the use of placebo in surgery? (more than one option allowed)

176

 

It involves deception

 

104 (59)

It endangers patient-surgeon trust

 

96 (55)

Because of legal problems

 

68 (39)

Because of possible side effects

 

52 (30)

It is ineffective

 

23 (13)

None of the above

 

22 (13)

In your opinion what is the mechanism behind the placebo effect? (more than one option allowed)

180

 

Psychological

 

166 (92)

Unexplained Factors

 

68 (38)

The natural course of a disease

 

72 (40)

Conditioning

 

40 (22)

Physiological

 

36 (20)

Positive Energies

 

5 (3)

Other

 

6 (3)