Open Versus Hidden Medical Interventions: the Role of Patient's Knowledge in Their Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: This study was intended to find out the placebo effect on the patient’s
knowledge about a treatment.
Study Design: This study employed the quasi experimental approach.
Place and Duration: The study was carried out in different hospitals of Multan
from May to September 2018.
Subjects and Method: A sample of 88 patients with postoperative pain
participated in administration and interruption treatment with two conditions;
open and hidden treatments. In open condition, patients were openly informed
that the treatment is being done or stopped, and in hidden condition patients
were kept uninformed about the giving and suspension of treatment. In
administration of treatment, 44 patients received the treatment in actual wherein
22 patients were informed about the treatment (open condition) while 22 patients
were kept uninformed about the fact that the treatment is being on (hidden
condition). In interruption of treatment, the treatment for 44 patients was stopped
in actual but 22 patients were known that their treatment has been stopped (open
condition) while 22 patients were kept blind about this interruption of treatment
(hidden condition). Though the actual effects of the administration and
interruption of treatment were there, only the patient's knowledge that the
treatment is being done or not was taken as independent variable.
Results and conclusion: Results demonstrated that patients in open administra
tion of treatment reported low pain compared to those who were not known of
actual administration of treatment. Further the results showed that the patients in
open interruption of treatment reported high levels of pain than those who were
kept blind about the interruption of treatment.