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IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

A number of different medical traditions are now widely known and used: Western medicine (using drugs and surgery), herbal medicine, acupuncture ( using needles at certain points of the body), homoeopathy (using minute doses of poisons), and so on. How important is the patient’s mental attitude towards his/her treatment in determining the effectiveness of the treatment? Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

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🤩 Sample answers

Model Essay #1:

A number of different medical traditions are now widely known and used: Western medicine (using drugs and surgery), herbal medicine, acupuncture ( using needles at certain points of the body), homoeopathy (using minute doses of poisons), and so on. How important is the patient’s mental attitude towards his/her treatment in determining the effectiveness of the treatment?

In the modern world, various medical traditions are being practiced and accepted widely. These include Western medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and more. The patient's mental attitude towards treatment plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the treatment.

Firstly, the patient's mental attitude influences their overall well-being. A positive mindset can contribute to the body's ability to heal and recover. Research has shown that patients with a positive outlook tend to respond better to treatment, experience less stress, and often exhibit improved recovery rates.

Secondly, the placebo effect, which is the psychological benefit a patient experiences from a treatment that has no therapeutic value, highlights the significance of mental attitude in treatment effectiveness. Studies have demonstrated that patients who believe in the effectiveness of a treatment, even if it is a placebo, often show improvement in their condition.

Moreover, the patient's mental attitude can affect their compliance with the treatment plan. A positive mindset can lead to better adherence to medication schedules, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle changes, all of which are crucial for successful treatment outcomes.

In conclusion, the patient's mental attitude towards their treatment is undeniably important in determining its effectiveness. A positive mindset can contribute to overall well-being, influence the placebo effect, and improve compliance with the treatment plan. Healthcare providers should not only focus on the physical aspects of treatment but also consider the psychological well-being of their patients for better treatment outcomes.

Model Essay #2:

A number of different medical traditions are now widely known and used: Western medicine (using drugs and surgery), herbal medicine, acupuncture ( using needles at certain points of the body), homoeopathy (using minute doses of poisons), and so on. How important is the patient’s mental attitude towards his/her treatment in determining the effectiveness of the treatment?

The effectiveness of various medical traditions is often attributed to the patient's mental attitude towards treatment. However, the importance of the patient's mental attitude in determining treatment effectiveness may be overstated.

Firstly, the effectiveness of treatments in Western medicine, which primarily relies on drugs and surgery, is largely dependent on the scientific evidence supporting the interventions. In such cases, the patient's mental attitude may have minimal impact on the treatment outcomes, as the success of the treatment is based on the physiological response to the medications or procedures.

Moreover, while the placebo effect demonstrates the influence of the patient's mindset on treatment outcomes, it does not necessarily indicate a direct correlation between mental attitude and treatment effectiveness. The placebo effect may lead to temporary improvements in symptoms, but it does not address the underlying medical condition.

Additionally, in certain medical traditions such as acupuncture and homeopathy, the emphasis on the patient's mental attitude as a determinant of treatment effectiveness may overshadow the need for rigorous scientific evaluation of these practices. Relying solely on the patient's mindset may divert attention from the critical assessment of the actual therapeutic benefits of these alternative treatments.

In conclusion, while the patient's mental attitude may play a role in treatment outcomes, the importance of this factor in determining treatment effectiveness should be viewed with caution. It is essential to prioritize evidence-based practices and scientific evaluation of treatments to ensure that patients receive interventions that are truly effective in addressing their medical conditions.

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