OET READING SUB-TEST 2– QUESTION PAPER : PART C
The Debate Around Prescribing Placebos”
The use of placebos in clinical settings remains one of the most contentious ethical debates in modern medicine. A placebo, by definition, lacks any active pharmacological ingredient, yet studies consistently show that some patients experience real improvement in symptoms when given a placebo, particularly in conditions such as chronic pain, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. The so-called "placebo effect" has fascinated researchers for decades, but the deliberate use of placebo treatments raises questions about honesty and patient consent.
Dr. Eliza Moretti, a pain specialist based in Italy, supports the cautious and transparent use of placebos. “If a patient is aware that a treatment might not have any active substance but still wants to try it for symptom relief, I believe it can be ethically acceptable,” she says. Dr. Moretti references recent studies in which patients knowingly took placebos and still experienced noticeable symptom improvement. She believes this approach respects both autonomy and wellbeing.
However, others in the medical community remain uncomfortable with the idea. Dr. Alan Chen, a general practitioner in Singapore, argues that even with disclosure, the psychological pressure patients feel to agree with doctors can cloud genuine consent. “Telling a patient they can take a pill that won’t do anything chemically, but might work anyway—it’s confusing. And not all patients fully understand the implications,” he explains.
Critics also worry that encouraging placebo use might distract from finding effective, evidence-based treatments. They point out that in some cases, the placebo effect may merely mask symptoms temporarily, while the underlying condition worsens. “It’s like silencing a fire alarm without putting out the fire,” says Dr. Chen. On the other hand, proponents like Dr. Moretti argue that when no better treatment options exist, placebos may offer a valuable, low-risk alternative—provided patients are kept fully informed.
Regulatory bodies are beginning to weigh in. In the UK, the General Medical Council recently updated its guidelines to state that doctors may prescribe placebos in specific circumstances, provided patients are not misled. Still, global practice varies, and in many countries, such as the U.S., open-label placebo use remains rare and poorly understood by the public.
Ultimately, the use of placebos may never be free from ethical complexity. As Dr. Moretti puts it, “We must find a balance between medical integrity and therapeutic possibility.”
Questions 1–8 Choose the best option (A–D) for each question.
1. What is the main issue discussed in the passage?
A. Whether placebo treatments should be used more widely in hospitals.
B. The effectiveness of placebos in curing long-term illnesses.
C. The ethical concerns surrounding the use of placebo treatments.
D. How to explain the placebo effect to patients.
2. What does the passage suggest about patient responses to placebos?
A. They only work if the patient is unaware they are taking one.
B. They can be effective even when the patient knows it’s a placebo.
C. They cause more harm than good in most cases.
D. They only benefit patients with severe conditions.
3. What is Dr. Moretti’s view on using placebos?
A. It is acceptable only if patients believe they are taking real medicine.
B. It should be avoided entirely due to the risk of deception.
C. It is ethically acceptable if patients give informed consent.
D. It should replace traditional medications for chronic pain.
4. What concern does Dr. Chen express about placebo use?
A. Placebos should only be given to older patients.
B. Patients may not fully understand what they are agreeing to.
C. Doctors do not know how to prescribe placebos properly.
D. Placebos are more expensive than other treatments.
5. What is a criticism mentioned in the passage regarding placebo use?
A. Placebos are often addictive and overprescribed.
B. They can interfere with diagnosing mental illness.
C. They may hide symptoms without addressing the cause.
D. Patients expect placebos to work as quickly as real drugs.
6. According to Dr. Moretti, in which situation might placebos be most justified?
A. When the patient refuses to take medication.
B. When better treatment options are unavailable.
C. When the doctor is unsure of a diagnosis.
D. When a patient demands a cure quickly.
7. What change has been made by the General Medical Council in the UK?
A. Placebo use is now prohibited entirely.
B. Patients must be told that the treatment is a placebo.
C. Doctors are no longer allowed to use open-label placebos.
D. Placebos can be prescribed only for psychiatric cases.
8. How does the writer conclude the discussion?
A. By arguing that placebos should be banned worldwide.
B. By suggesting more funding is needed for placebo research.
C. By acknowledging the ongoing ethical complexity of placebo use.
D. By stating that patients should never be given placebos knowingly.