No matter what the test reports suggest or doctors say, people seldom go beyond 'double-checking' their health status through the internet or even consulting your family doctor for that matter. Doing a Google search about your symptoms, or complaints, or the medicines you are taking can be informative. Yet, they can be misleading, as well as it also depends on the source of information you are referring to. Many medical practitioners do not welcome the idea of encountering a Google-educated patient because sometimes the patient starts dominating over the doctor or might also end up with an argument over some topic or issue.
However, with such an ocean of health-related information, it is reasonable to give in to the temptation of doing a random search on the internet. Patients who are well-informed about their health status can be more accommodating with their doctors. They just need to know where to get the right health information from.
Why People Resort To the Internet or any other sources?
People tend to turn to the internet not only because it's convenient but also because of certain factors. Some of them are like:
There are various sources such as online search, your peers or relatives, etc. who often create misunderstandings between the doctors and the patients. It is no wonder that a confused patient would check the internet for further clarification or even seek for someone’s advice who is not a doctor or a medical professional.
Example: Check the qualification, as well as the experience of the author whose health article you are going to read.
Can it be that they have biased information? Several blogs are written solely on promotional purposes. It is no wonder that the contents of such blogs can be somewhat partial.
See when the article was last updated and checked. Remember that the treatment options and medical recommendations are likely to change from time to time.
It is essential to double-check whether the websites you check are based on personal experiences, opinions, or experiences by other patients. Even then, it is vital that sufficient inputs back such blogs.
The Bottom Line
There might not be anything wrong with patients looking for health information online. However, what goes wrong is the accessibility to information which a mix of facts and myths. With too much information, patients can find it hard to choose a trustable source or some might also trust the false information and build their perspective towards it.
So instead of having prejudices on patients who resort to the online search for health information, there are certain things to ensure well-informed choices. Such as clearing your queries/ doubts with your doctor, family doctor or medical professional.
To trust your doctor and follow his medications, treatment, diet provided properly. To make sure that you don’t miss out or delay the next appointment or meet up with your doctor for a better recovery and ensure your health is back on track.
