Table 1.

Focus group question guide

Questions	Allotted time (min)
1. What is your understanding of placebos and placebo effects in clinical practice?	10
Follow-up question: How should we define placebos/placebo effects?
Follow-up question: For which conditions or symptoms – if any – do you believe placebo effects may be therapeutic?
2. Should physicians strive to maximize placebo effects in clinical practice?	10
Follow-up question: Why or why not?
3. Participants read the following brief vignette:	15
A patient visits their primary care physician suffering from symptoms of chronic back pain. The physician advises the patient that placebo pills made of an inert substance, like sugar, have been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce pain through mind-body self-healing processes.
The physician prescribes placebo pills and mentions the following points during the dialogue: ‘(1) the placebo effect is powerful; (2) that the body can automatically respond to taking placebo pills like Pavlov’s dogs who salivated when they heard a bell; (3) a positive attitude helps but is not necessary; and (4) taking placebo pills faithfully is critical’.
The physician then gives the patient placebo pills, advising them to take thepills twice per dayfor 14 days, and to call if symptoms worsen or if they are not experiencing adequate relief. Follow-up question: What are your thoughts on this scenario?
Follow-up question: Would you ever consider doing this in your own practice?
Follow-up question: Do you envisage open-label placebos being routinely used in primary care?
4. Do you have any experiences of placebo use in your own practice?	10
Follow-up question: In your opinion, are there any circumstances when it is acceptable to use placebos in primary care?