Mentioning the placebo effect still causes awkward smiles and headshaking sometimes—unjustly so.  These days, science knows that expectations and experiences of and with a therapy play an important role in the recovery of patients. For example, treatments for pain or depressive disorders work particularly well when patients react confidently to the therapy. It seems only logical to use this in favor of the patients and make targeted use of this "placebo effect" in the treatment.

This year, the 4th International Conference of the Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies (SIPS) will take place from 10 to 13 May to encourage professional exchange among doctors and scientists. For four days, everything will revolve around treatment expectations and how these can be used in a daily hospital routine.

The conference in 2023 is organized by the University of Duisburg-Essen and the SFB/TRR 289 "Treatment Expectation", for which ELH-PI Prof. Dr. Ulrike Bingel is the speaker. Prof Dr Bingel is also chairing the SIPS congress this year.

In order to talk not only about patients, but also with patients, an online patient forum will also take place on 9 May from 5.30 to 7 pm. There, medical experts will give helpful advice, report on the latest research results and answer questions from the public. Further information: https://sips-conference.com/program/patientinnenforum

Press release (in German): Link