[Placebo interventions in medical practice]

Surveys of physicians showed that they use placebo interventions with different intentions in practice. The ongoing debate whether this is ethically acceptable requires to engage in this topic. More and more results from research have shown that placebo or contextual effects can be clinically relevant. It is worthwhile to think about the utilization of these effects for patients. For that purpose there are no ready-made solutions. Every physician has to decide for his or her own self whether and which therapy with doubtful specific efficacy he or she uses. This article may assist physicians to deal with this topic and to find an own well-grounded position.