Analyze the short case and answer the 2 questions:Using placebos, vulnerable subjects: A...

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Analyze the short case and answer the 2 questions: Using placebos, vulnerable subjects: A psychiatrist wants to study a new investigational medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder...

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Analyze the short case and answer the 2 questions:

Using placebos, vulnerable subjects:

A psychiatrist wants to study a new investigational medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children ages 10-17 with ADHD will be withdrawn from their current medications, if any, and then randomized to receive either placebo or the investigational agent for six weeks. The primary outcome measures are 2 standardized assessment scales, one to be completed by each subject and one by the subject’s parents. Subjects and their parents will be asked to complete these assessments twice a day and return them by phone, fax or e-mail to the research center.

Questions:

1. Is use of a placebo justified? How about for subjects who are being effectively treated with current medications?

2. Would your answers change if you knew that a pharmaceutical firm sponsored this study?

Answered Same Day Mar 04, 2022

Bhawna · Accepted Answer

1. Is use of a placebo justified? How about for subjects who are being effectively treated with current medications?
A placebo treatment is a type of treatment which is used to treat the patients knowingly that the substance does not have any effect on the patients and the pharmacological properties of the substances are negligible. Placebo has been used as a control in several clinical studies. However, the scientific justification of the placebos is not clear yet. A placebo effect is known to be effective when the person does not know that the placebo has been given to them as a treatment. However, in some cases placebo may be effective when the person does know that they are being treated with the placebo but they does not know the timings when placebo has been provided to them (Finniss et al., 2020). 
The use of placebo during the treatment without the consent of the patient is unethical can undermine the trust of the patients on the physician and can hamper the relationship of the patient with the physician also. Sometimes, such incidents can result in medical harm in the patients also (Miller et al., 2000). 
The physician is allowed to use the placebo under certain conditions during the treatment:
The doctor should inform the patient that using the placebo during the treatment can have positive effects and can have help them to achieve a better understanding of the other medications (Cree et al., 2016).

Analyze the short case and answer the 2 questions: Using placebos, vulnerable subjects: A psychiatrist wants to study a new investigational medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder...

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