A study on participants in clinical trials (“human guinea pigs”) challenges the basic assumption that one can distinguish specific from non-specific treatment effects. It also shows that curiosity, altruism and status-seeking are part of the reason why people take part in clinical trials. Read more
Tags: acupuncture, CAM, choice, clinical trial, communication, David Finer, ECIM, George Lewith, Health Technology Assessment, meaning, orthodox medicine, participation, patient-doctor communication, placebo, treatment effect