The role of expectations and patients' decision making process

Aim: This work aims at highlighting the role of patient's expectations in regard to experimental drugs and/or medical treatments, analyzing which factors might affect the final clinical outcome (i.e. expected effectiveness). Results: Current studies suggest that psychological and neurobiological mechanisms intersect in inducing the placebo effect, which might be considered as a positive plus value added to the final collected outcome. Moreover, considering psychological mechanisms, we can identify both the expectations and the classical conditioning, Conclusion: A successful relationship between patients and caregivers, which is based on empathy (i.e. the ability to perceive the emotional state of the person we are in contact) can make the difference in the final outcome, increasing the expected effectiveness of the medical treatment.