P05.36. How do lay people conceptualise and reason about the use of placebos in healthcare?

Results All participants recognised the term ‘placebo’ and exhibited diverse opinions as to how the placebo effect works and whether the placebo effect even exists. Honest doctorpatient communication was highly valued by participants, who typically saw placebo prescriptions as deceitful and therefore wrong. However, they also expressed the belief that that deception is necessary for the patient to experience potentially beneficial placebo effects. A pragmatic orientation was exhibited, wherein participants argued that if a placebo “works” then it is acceptable for a doctor to prescribe it. Placebos were considered more acceptable in certain circumstances, including self-limiting illness (e.g. common cold) and clinical trials (compared to clinical practice).