Nocebos contribute to host of ills

Article Abstract:

Many physicians believe that nocebos can make you sick. Nocebos are essentially negative beliefs people have that make them susceptible to the power of suggestion. Scientists have estimated that 80% of the population is susceptible to suggestion. Some researchers have found that positive beliefs have led to better survival rates in breast cancer patients. The Framingham Heart Study has found that women who thought they might have a heart attack were 3.7 times more likely to die from heart disease. The idea that belief systems could have a negative effect on health is supported by animal studies showing that an area of the brain can cause severe heart arrhythmias when stimulated.

Health aspects, Research, Medicine, Psychosomatic, Psychosomatic medicine, Belief and doubt

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Quality standards intend to bring psychiatry, primary care into closer collaboration

Article Abstract:

The National Committee for Quality Assurance has recognized the growing field of behavioral health care and so released national accreditation standards for managed care programs linking psychiatry and primary care in Jan 1997. The standards attempt to make the organizations accountable, increase treatment effectiveness through prevention and early diagnosis, and provide a way to assess quality. Managed behavioral care programs should review their own practices before applying for the accreditation and many are likely to receive a one-year provisional accreditation.

Standards, Managed care plans (Medical care), Behavioral health care, Behavioral medicine, National Committee for Quality Assurance

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