Google vs. Your Medical Doctor
Is Dr Google Really Better than a Medical Doctor Appointment?
Our modern era is filled with tons of conveniences – smart technology, self-driving cars, and a wealth of online information at your fingertips. It is only natural, then, that at the first sign of a pain or strange tingling, we jump onto Google to research our symptoms. While learning about our health is encouraged, self-diagnosis may be dangerous. So, is it really so bad that Dr Google is always on call or is it best to visit your medical doctor 100% of the time? We explore the question below.
Quick and Easy Results
Researching your symptoms online may seem as though it comes with a few benefits – namely that the results are fast and you won’t spend any money. The flipside to this, however, is that you may not be receiving accurate information. First of all, not every website is going to get the facts right and there is virtually no way of knowing who penned that information. Secondly, online diagnostic tools certainly don’t have all the facts about you as a patient. It cannot take into account your medical history, medication used, genetic background, and geographic location. Finally, even if the information presented is correct, your own biases may get in the way of an appropriate self-diagnosis – you may ignore certain results you feel cannot be correct.
A hands-on, personal experience with a medical doctor is invaluable in this regard. Not only have they spent years in training and have experience in their field but they can offer an objective approach to your symptoms. A doctor practising in a medical centre also comes with the advantage of tests and screenings being done on site, with no need to travel elsewhere.
What the Research Says
A 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on the comparison between physician and computer diagnostic accuracy found some alarming results. Physicians offered the correct diagnosis first at least 72,1% of the time, while apps only managed to get it right 34% of the time. When it came to their top three diagnoses listed, doctors made accurate assessments 84,3% of the time, with symptom checkers only managing an accuracy of 51,2%.
Why Not Both?
There is nothing wrong with taking ownership of your health and equipping yourself with useful knowledge. Researching your symptoms in this day and age is part of caring for your health. One cannot dispute, however, the insight, training, and experience a medical doctor provides. As such, a holistic approach to your wellbeing may include both online research and a visit to your GP.
To easily book an appointment with a medical professional near you online, click here.