Working with patients’ treatment expectations – what we can learn from homeopathy
The usual homeopathic remedy, “globules,” does not contain any pharmacologically active ingredient. However, many patients and practitioners report beneficial effects of homeopathic treatment on various health outcomes. Experimental and clinical research of the last two decades analyzing the und...
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Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Philipps-Universität Marburg
2024
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | PDF Full Text |
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Summary: | The usual homeopathic remedy, “globules,” does not contain any
pharmacologically active ingredient. However, many patients and practitioners
report beneficial effects of homeopathic treatment on various health outcomes.
Experimental and clinical research of the last two decades analyzing the
underlying mechanisms of the placebo effect could explain this phenomenon,
with patients’ treatment expectations as the predominant mechanism.
Treatment expectations can be optimized through various factors, such as
prior information, communication, and treatment context. This narrative review
analyses how homeopathy successfully utilizes these factors. Subsequently,
it is discussed what evidence-based medicine could learn from homeopathic
practice to optimize treatment expectations (e.g., using an empathic, patientcentered
communication style, deliberately selecting objects in practice rooms,
or using clear treatment rituals and salient contextual stimuli) and thereby
treatment effectiveness. Homeopathic remedy does not work beyond the
placebo effect but is recommended or prescribed as an active treatment by
those who believe in it. Thus, practitioners need to understand the manner in
which homeopathy (as an example of inert treatment) works and are advised to
reintegrate its underlying effective placebo mechanisms into evidence-based
medicine. This promises to increase treatment efficacy, tolerability, satisfaction,
and compliance with evidence-based treatments, and addresses the desires
patients are trying to satisfy in homeopathy in an ethical, fully informed way that
is grounded in evidence-based medicine. |
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Item Description: | Gefördert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der UB Marburg. |
Physical Description: | 11 Pages |
DOI: | 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1398865 |