Whilst reading an editorial in The Lancet regarding the evidence against homeopathy I was reminded of an article in the London Review of Books. The article discussed the benefits of the placebo effect. In particular it was looking at evidence that the placebo effect is enhanced when the both the doctor and patient have absolute faith in the treatment. The placebo effect reduces if either the doctor or patient lack faith in the treatment.
The outcome of this trial on homeopathy is that more doctors will tell patients that homeopathy is a proven waste of time, when actually the trial shows that it performs better than no treatment due to the placebo effect. Doctors should always be aware of the delivery of medical advice, keeping it as upbeat and positive as possible, being very cautious not to damage a patient’s faith. Something many an overrun GP will struggle to do.
The true measure of a treatment is not in the understanding of the process but the measurability of success. In my own experience my partner is able to cure, through healing, my stomach upsets and particularly headaches, almost unfailingly. Now I don't care if this is a mystical aligning of auras or just the benefit of someone paying me attention, the key point is it works. Similarly, taking paracetamol is a complete waste of time for me and I am convinced it only works for others due to the placebo effect. No amount of evidence matters, I still have a headache, ibuprofen on the other hand works.
This research on homeopathy shows that conventional treatment has better results than homeopathy, which is good. The concern for me is that those that use homeopathy may either lose faith, and therefore lose any benefit, or worse become angry with the ‘bias’ of conventional medicine and use only homeopathy. It is therefore vital, as the editorial in The Lancet says “doctors need to be bold and honest with their patients about homeopathy’s lack of benefit, and with themselves about the failings of modern medicine to address patients' needs for personalised care”, my emphasis.
4 comments :
Exactly. Sunday mornings also work very well.
Now I am not sure about all of this, some of it yes, but some of it, no. For eg are you aware of the exact nature of the headache ie what is causing it? Also are you aware of the variation in action between paracetamol and ibuprofen?
Also are you aware your father was a pharmacist and you grew up with absolutely no home medication available so hence you had no ailments.
What has changed to find you in need of problem solving? Well - you have swapped school for work and you have left your dearly beloved brothers and parents!!!!
Enough
Who is speaking I wonder!
"are you aware of the exact nature of the headache ie what is causing it?"
I am carful to avoid as many causes of headaches as I know about, but once I have a headache my only interest is in removing it.
"are you aware of the variation in action between paracetamol and ibuprofen?"
No, I will leave that to the some other scientist, as a patient my interest is in what works. My Doctor and Pharmacist are responsible for filtering the latest scientific research in to advice for patients.
"are you aware your father was a pharmacist and you grew up with absolutely no home medication available so hence you had no ailments."
Yes, which is why I prefer avoiding ailments to treating them.
Working is the cause of most problems, because it can put me in situations I would prefer to avoid, but this is life.
Does the comment writer think that doctors have a duty of care above that of simply suppling a medication? That a doctor should use all human social skills available to make the patient feel better?
A wee update. We had a conversation this morning on the subject and well, I thought i'd stick this in its right place.
[http://altmedicine.about.com/od/alternativemedicinebasics/a/lancet_homeopat.htm Critics of Lancet research]
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