A project to change the attitudes, beliefs and practices of health professionals concerning hypnosis.

This study describes an educational project designed to change the beliefs, attitudes and practices of health care professionals concerning hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether an educational offering that dispelled myths and misconceptions of hypnosis, offered a historical perspective, discussed how hypnosis works therapeutically, and elucidated the many medical uses of hypnosis, could change the attitudes, practices and beliefs of health care providers. Workshops were given to health care professionals at a variety of venues. Three questionnaires were used to collect data from study subjects before, immediately after and three months following the educational intervention. The results indicated that it is possible with a 90 to 180 minute lecture on hypnosis to create changes in beliefs, attitudes and practices. When health professionals have accurate information on hypnosis that is substantiated by scientific research, they are more likely to believe that hypnosis has a place in traditional mainstream medicine and to suggest self-regulatory strategies and hypnosis to their patients. An educational presentation on hypnosis can encourage health care professionals to learn more about this modality and to seek training in hypnosis.