Individual difference factors that predict evaluations and acceptance of authorized concealment for the reduction of nocebo side effects

Objectives

Authorized concealment is a shared decision-making technique in which a clinician asks a patient if they would prefer not to be informed about all possible treatment side effects, so as to minimize nocebo effects. The present research assessed individual difference variables that predict evaluations and receptivity of authorized concealment.

Methods

A demographically diverse national community US sample of 1012 adults (ages ranging from 18 to 94; M=43.2) learned about nocebo effects and then evaluated and estimated their likelihood of consenting to four possible methods of authorized concealment. A range of self-reported psychological, health, and demographic variables were tested as predictor variables.

Results

The strongest and most reliable outcomes were that greater trust in doctors and a greater desire to avoid side effect knowledge predicted positive evaluations of authorized concealment and estimated personal use of authorized concealment. There was some evidence that women, those of older age, reporting better health, and using medicine more regularly, had a more positive response to authorized concealment, but these effects were dependent upon the specific method of authorized concealment described.

Conclusions

Individual difference variables can predict openness to authorized concealment.

Practice Implications

This knowledge may benefit clinicians who consider employing this shared decision-making technique with patients.