Survey: Half of U.S. Doctors Prescribe Placebos Regularly

A new study that found that half of all U.S. physicians surveyed reported regularly prescribing placebos to patients is raising concerns among medical ethicists. Physician surveys in Denmark, Britain, Sweden and New Zealand found similar results.

• "Half of Doctors Routinely Prescribe Placebos" (Harris, New York Times, 10/24).