Reevaluating the Placebo Effect in Medical Practice

Abstract

Recent findings from placebo research corroborate the evidence that the placebo effect represents a promising model to shed new light on brain-mind-body interactions. In particular, this research has partially elucidated the role of how patients’ expectations and the quality of physician-patient communication can influence the efficacy of interventions and overall clinical outcomes. Accordingly, the study of the placebo effect should be incorporated in the core clinical practice curriculum of all health practitioners. While the growing knowledge about the placebo effect points to it being an irreducible primary reality of medical practice, an ethical analysis aimed at avoiding the misuse of placebos and maximizing beneficial placebo effects is needed.