Trend towards self-diagnosis increases
Whether it’s a tickly throat, migraine or stomach ache, we are probably all guilty of using the Internet from time to time to try to find out what, if anything, is wrong with us.
The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has recently highlighted the increasing trend towards online self-diagnosis by patients.*
But are we doing more harm than good by trying to diagnose our own health problems?
The Internet can be perceived as a medical revolution but if being used for self-diagnosis purposes, some see it as posing a potential danger to people’s health. The MPS says that difficulties can arise from misinterpretation of complex medical information and terminology, and from the inconsistency of the information available.
The NHS Direct website has millions of users every year. It is a popular choice for sound, impartial health advice, on illnesses, treatment and drugs. However, many sites don’t necessarily offer this level of accuracy, which could lead to medical problems deteriorating.
If an illness is misdiagnosed or diagnosed late, it could lead to a worse, possibly incurable outcome.**
UKTV Style recently questioned 2,000 adults in a health survey*** to mark the start of the series ‘Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses’.
It found that the rise of the Internet has had a profound effect, with 38 per cent of people saying they had diagnosed their own condition by searching the web.
In addition, 12 per cent had bought medicine on the Internet, with 13 per cent opting for an online diagnosis by a medical professional, without having a physical examination.
Westfield Health has long been aware of the need for people to access accurate medical advice at a time that suits them, which is now even greater at a time when accessing a GP out of normal working hours is becoming more and more difficult.
As a result, Westfield introduced a GP Telephone Consultation benefit to many of its health cash plans.
This service provides the policyholder and their family members with 24 hour telephone access to a fully qualified GP at a time convenient to them.
And because the GP will take into account personal medical history, the doctor will in many cases be able to provide a diagnosis of the symptoms and recommend an appropriate course of action.
In some cases, the GP consultation benefit can lead to callers receiving a diagnosis and guidance, without the need to seek further medical advice.
For more information on the Advantage Plan, visit: http://www.westfieldhealth.com/my-westfield/advantage/index.asp
For more information on the Good4you Plan, visit: http://www.westfieldhealth.com/my-westfield/good4you/index.asp
Sources:
*http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/rss/news/article/844315/MPS-urges-caution-internet-self-diagnosis/
***http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Patients-shunning-doctors-in-favour.3668454.jp
© Westfield Health Insurance 2012
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