When Doctors Debunk Alternative Medicine, Does It Actually Change Minds? A Peru Study Has Surprising Answers

A randomized controlled experiment with 167 Peruvian participants found that debunking interventions about egg cleanse—a popular alternative medicine practice—did not significantly shift core beliefs about effectiveness, but did improve patient satisfaction when doctors used a personalized, empathetic approach. The findings suggest that the way healthcare providers communicate about alternative medicine may be just as important as the scientific evidence itself.

What Is Egg Cleanse, and Why Does It Matter in Peru?

Egg cleanse is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) technique widely practiced in Peru and other parts of Hispanic America. The practice involves rubbing a fresh chicken egg over a patient's body with the belief that the egg absorbs negative energies causing physical or spiritual illness—including conditions like the "evil eye." At the end of the ritual, the yolk and white are poured into a glass and interpreted by the practitioner to diagnose the patient's spiritual state.

In Peru, a pluricultural and multiethnic country, egg cleanse reflects a syncretic blend of Christian and Andean traditions. While the Peruvian state does not integrate egg cleanse into its public health system, other CAM techniques such as phytotherapy, acupuncture, and yoga are offered as part of public health coverage.

Can Doctors Actually Change Patients' Minds About Alternative Medicine?

Researchers at a Peruvian institution conducted a randomized controlled experiment to test whether debunking interventions could shift attitudes toward egg cleanse among people who already believed in its effectiveness. The study divided 167 participants into three groups: one receiving tailored debunking (personalized information addressing each person's specific reasons for believing), one receiving non-tailored debunking (general scientific information), and a control group.

The results were sobering for those hoping to simply convince people through facts alone. Neither the tailored nor non-tailored debunking interventions significantly changed the core beliefs researchers measured, including:

• Belief in Effectiveness: Participants maintained their conviction that egg cleanse actually works to cure illness or remove negative energy
• Future Use Intentions: People did not significantly reduce their stated likelihood of using egg cleanse in the future
• Preference Over Conventional Medicine: Participants did not shift toward preferring standard medical treatment over the alternative practice

However, exploratory analyses revealed a more nuanced picture. Both debunking approaches did reduce endorsement of the specific reasons people gave for using egg cleanse—with the non-tailored debunk showing a slightly larger effect.

Tips for Using Personalization and Empathy to Challenge Alternative Medicine Beliefs

The most striking finding involved patient satisfaction rather than belief change. Participants who received a tailored debunk—where the doctor first asked open-ended questions to understand their specific concerns, showed empathy for their worldview, and then explained why their misconception was incorrect—reported significantly higher satisfaction with the physician interaction compared to those who received a non-tailored debunk.

This distinction reflects two different communication approaches in healthcare. Tailored debunking is based on three key steps:

• Elicitation: The doctor asks open-ended questions and listens actively to identify the patient's underlying beliefs, fears, and identity issues driving their interest in alternative medicine
• Affirmation: The doctor expresses genuine understanding and empathy toward the patient's position without dismissing their concerns
• Tailored Explanation: The doctor explains why the misconception is incorrect while respecting the patient's underlying worldview and motivations

Non-tailored debunking, by contrast, simply provides general scientific information without considering what actually motivated the patient to believe in the alternative treatment in the first place.

What This Means for Healthcare Providers

The research suggests that healthcare providers face a fundamental challenge: scientific evidence alone may not change deeply held beliefs about alternative medicine, especially in cultural contexts where these practices are woven into spiritual and traditional worldviews. However, the approach doctors take—whether they listen, validate concerns, and personalize their explanations—significantly affects how patients perceive the interaction and their willingness to engage with healthcare providers.

This finding has implications beyond Peru. Reasons for using complementary and alternative medicine vary across cultures. In Western populations, people often cite an internal sense of control over their health; in Asian populations, social networks and family recommendations play a larger role. Understanding these cultural differences is essential for effective communication.

The broader landscape of alternative medicine in communities like Monterey, California, includes acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and homeopathy—practices that fall under the umbrella of complementary medicine when used alongside conventional treatment, or alternative medicine when used as a replacement. As these practices become more integrated into some healthcare systems, the ability to discuss them respectfully and effectively becomes increasingly important for all healthcare providers.

The takeaway is clear: when patients hold strong beliefs about alternative medicine, simply presenting contradictory evidence may not shift their minds. But creating space for dialogue, showing respect for their concerns, and explaining the science in a personalized way can at least improve the relationship between patient and provider—and that relationship may ultimately be what opens the door to more evidence-based care.