A NEW STUDY in Germany has shown that over half of the country’s doctors prescribe placebos to their patients – and say such actions successfully treat problems like depression or stomach complaints.
The study, compiled for the German Medical Association and reported in the Guardian, said placebos – which could range from vitamin pills to homeopathic remedies, and even (in extreme cases) sham surgeries – were “highly effective” in most cases.
In the southern province of Bavaria, eight out of every nine GPs gave patients prescriptions for placebos.
The Guardian also quotes the study’s author, Robert Jutte, who said placebos – though unexplained – led to the reduction of “undesirable side-effects, and are a more efficient use of our healthcare budget.”
Such placebos had had the same effect as antidepressants in about a third of cases, and had help 59 per cent of patients who had complained about stomach problems.
The report further found that a placebo’s effectiveness depends on many factors including the size, colour and price of a pill.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say