Hypnosis in Medical and Dental Practice: A Survey

Abstract

101 alumni of a course in medical and dental hypnosis were interviewed. 75% used some hypnotic technique, either formal or informal, in their practice. The predominant technique WBB direct and indirect hypnotic symptom-removal. A wide range of indications waa described, the most frequent of which were obesity, anxiety, pain arid discomfort, and excessive smokbg. Few doctors encountered either difficulties with colIesgues or complications with patients. Of those doctors who did not use hypnosis, the major rwom mentioned were time, patient's unrealistic expectations and feelings of discomfort, lack of skill, and skepticism about hypnosis. The most striking finding was the efficacy of the course in causing enduring changes in the ongoing pattern of practice of a remarkably high percentage of the studenta.