To Expect a Treatment is in Itself a Treatment?

Distinguished international scientists will discuss how to achieve synergies between cognitive and affective neuroscience, medical practice, and the best possible clinical outcomes. Specifically, the focus of the event will be on the most recent scientific evidence on placebo and nocebo effects.

The event is part of the PANACEA project, a European higher education program, coordinated by the University of Bologna. The project aims to increase the knowledge of medical students and health professionals about the mechanisms of placebo and nocebo effects, thereby providing evidence-based guidance for clinical practice.

Higher education on the topic of placebo and nocebo effects can bring several added values and key benefits, such as:

1) Improved understanding of patient care by understanding how patients' beliefs, expectations, and perceptions can influence treatment outcomes.

2) Improved communication skills by learning how to explain complex medical concepts, manage patient expectations, and address concerns about treatment.

3) Optimizing treatment outcomes by incorporating placebo and by reducing nocebo responses into patients' treatment plans

4) Improving evidence-based practice and critical evaluation of research and clinical trials, leading to more accurate assessment of treatment efficacy.

5) Promoting patient-centred care, recognizing the importance of treating not only the physical aspects of the disease, but also the psychological and social dimensions that influence treatment outcomes.