Doctors are being asked to cut down the number of drugs they prescribe to their patients, and offer a range of platitudes instead. Michael Morton, spokesman for the British Medical Association, said “When patients visit their doctor, they expect to leave with a prescription for pills or potions... when what they really need is someone to listen to their complaints, and nod empathetically, before coming out with a harmless platitude. ‘Time’s a great healer’, say. Or ‘things will look better in the morning’. Or ‘laughter is the best medicine’... unless you’ve cut yourself shaving... in which case I can recommend Savlon”
“The doctor only needs to look like he's listening. He may actually be fantasising about giving his receptionist a comprehensive seeing-to, or getting a hole in one on the golf course. The effect on his patients will be much the same: they generally get better in three days, whatever the doctor prescribes”...
