How often do general practitioners use placebos and non-specific interventions? Systematic review and meta-analysis of surveys.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In a systematic review and meta-analysis we summarize the available evidence on how frequently general practitioners/family physicians (GPs) use pure placebos (e.g., placebo pills) and non-specific therapies (sometimes referred to as impure placebos; e.g., antibiotics for common cold).

Methods

We searched Medline, PubMed and SCOPUS up to July 2018 to identify cross-sectional quantitative surveys among GPs. Outcomes of primary interest were the percentages of GPs having used any placebo, pure placebos or non-specific therapies at least once in their career, at least once in the last year, at least monthly or at least weekly. Outcomes were described as proportions and pooled with random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

Of 674 publications, 16 studies from 13 co

SUBMITTER: Linde K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6108457 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature