Online diagnosis – a good idea?

Posted on 23 July 2013

The Internet can be a great source of information and a support when we are ill, but it can also be a hotbed of unfounded hearsay. Dr Martin Puzey, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mediclinic Cape Town, explains how to separate the nonsense from knowledge.

I’m tempted to Google my symptoms. Is this a good idea?
According to Dr Puzey we should be cautious of health or medical information on non-medical blogs or forums. ‘They usually only present people’s personal opinions without any solid scientific research,’ he explains. ‘It’s extremely dangerous.’ He also cautions us to be wary of websites offering alternative health solutions or nutritional supplements. ‘The vitamin and mineral supplementation business is a billion-rand industry, but most of their claims are unproven and unfounded. There is no substitute for a proper balanced diet.’ Or a proper physical exam and a full medical history taken by a real, qualified doctor.

Next time you’re tempted to pick up your smart phone and visit a mobi-site from your sick bed, rather look up your doctor on your contacts list and make an appointment.

Is it ok to Google certain procedures after I’ve seen my doctor?
The Internet does, however, have a vital role to play in helping patients gather information. Dr Puzey has this example: ‘Say for instance I have a patient that needs a hysterectomy. In my rooms I will go through how the procedure works and what she can expect, but it’s unlikely she’ll remember it all.’

Research shows that patients remember only 20% of what their doctors tell them, so a reputable website with the right information can provide some much-needed reassurance where the memory may be a little foggy. The Internet is also a great place to find useful tools like body mass index calculators or calendars that can calculate your baby’s due date using the Mediclinic due date calendar.

Just remember that, with more than 350 million registered domains out there, not everything you read will be true.

How can I surf Google safely?
Browse the Health Matters section for a list of symptoms and illnesses. And then, make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have.

What websites should I avoid?
Steer clear of websites that make no sense; are badly written; do not quote research or their sources of information; try to sell you a product, video or book; are out of date; don’t credit their writers and reviewers or make outrageous claims. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid any site that has no contact information. If you don’t know who’s providing the information, it can’t be trusted.

They said it:
‘I once had a severe stomach bug, which started with intense pains in my lower abdomen. I Googled my symptoms and all the search results indicated that my life would be in danger if I didn’t get immediate attention for my burst appendix. Luckily I went to our family GP who assured me it was just a bug doing the rounds and that I would live. Three days later I was fine. No thanks to Dr Google.‘
– Geoff Cohen (39)

‘I Google medical conditions before I call a doctor, especially if it’s something I’ve never seen before – and you see a lot of new and interesting things when you have three children! When the second of our twin girls came down with croup three days after the first one, I Googled “Is croup contagious?” The answer was a resounding yes. I could trust my maternal instincts with a little help from Google.’
– Tania Roux (37)

 

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.