GONE are the days when the sick present to the doctor with a list of symptoms.
Instead, people are presenting with a list of websites.
Toowoomba doctor Loretto Wainwright said it was not uncommon to see “cyberchondriacs” — patients who Google their symptoms before seeing a GP.
Dr Wainwright, however, said the use of some health-related websites could be a positive for both doctor and patient.
“People come to me with a list of symptoms and sites they have visited,” Dr Wainwright said.
“But I use it as a tool for finding out what they are worried about and what symptoms they have.”
According to online search engine, Google, popular health-related searches in Australia were for information about “symptoms”, “blood” and “cancer”.
Additionally, online queries about “hemorrhoids (sic)” and “thyroid symptoms” have doubled since 2009.
Dr Wainwright said the key to using online information effectively was to combine the information with advice from doctors.
“There are useful sites that provide good and, in some cases, topical information,” she said.
“I don’t deter people from accessing these sites, but I would not advocate the use of them without consulting your GP.”
Reputable health-related websites
- dermnet.org.nz/: Facts about skin from the new Zealand Dermatological Society Inc
- raisingchildren.net.au/: the complete Australian parenting resource from newborns to teens.
- beyondblue.org.au/ : the national depression initiative