Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Observational survey on the knowledge and use of placebo at the hospital-University of Modena in nursing practice |
|---|---|
| Name | Colletto Alberto |
| Supervisor(s) | Ottani Alessandra |
| Academic Year | 2017/18 |
| Thesis type | Research thesis |
Abstract
Introduction. In Italy there is not yet a real knowledge about placebo phenomenon and its use, expecially from what emerge from literature. The present observational work is aimed to investigate how much nursing staff of the University Hospital of Modena have administered (or seen administer) the placebo and the opinion that have about it.
Methods. A four-part questionnaire was administered to nurse staff of different hospital units of the University Hospital of Modena. Questionnaire was structured to gain informations about personal data of the respondents, their direct and indirect experience with placebo and their personal considerations.
Results. The analysis of questionnaires shows that the sample interviewed has the following characteristics: mostly female, 30-50 years aged, fair number of years of service and bachelor's degree. Most interviewed had experienced placebo administration; a relevant number of them observed in patients positive effects after use of placebo, while nocebo effect was virtually absent. The departments in which placebo have been mostly used were medicine, surgery and geriatrics. It resulted important that before placebo administration the nurse provided informations to the patient.
Conclusions. Although the use of placebo remain an applied clinical practice, compared to what is present in the literature its use results in considerable decline. According to many of the interviewed, placebo is a tool that should be used only in carefully evaluated cases, although from this point of view should be implemented. However, despite having found its efficacy, some nurses don’t think that the administration of a "fake drug" is a practice to follow, considering instead that it would be sufficient to improve the therapeutic relationship physician-patient that could, in itself, lead to a Placebo effect.