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) |