The Placebo Effect and Health: Combining Science and Compassionate Care

doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7535.243-a

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Anton J M de Craen, senior epidemiologist (craen@lumc.nl)

Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

Every doctor knows the word placebo, but how many have given serious thought to the subject? Misconceptions about the use of placebos and the placebo effect are common in medicine. For example, many believe that the placebo effect wears off after three months and that about 35% of people respond to placebos. Such misconceptions are unlikely to disappear in the near future, but The Placebo Effect and Health makes a good attempt at setting the …