Watch above: According to a new survey, a high number of Saskatchewan residents are turning to Google to self diagnose ailments. Amber Rockliffe speaks with doctors who are urging patients to leave it to the experts.
SASKATOON – The number of people in Saskatchewan turning to Google to diagnose ailments is increasing, according to a new Angus Reid poll. While this may seem like a quick and convenient method, some physicians in the province said it can cause more harm than good.
“Sometimes people will come in with very strong ideas as to what they feel, based on what they’ve found on the internet … asking for that CT scan or that MRI, because they’ve got a headache,” explained family physician Mark Brown.
“I think this does cause us a lot of work because as physicians, we want to make sure the tests we order are appropriate,” Brown explained.
According to the findings, three-quarters of people in Saskatchewan have used the internet to diagnose an ailment, and on average, more than a quarter of those end up being wrong.
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“I can’t tell you the number of people who come in with a simple headache, maybe a sinus cold or migraine, and they’re very fearful that they’ve got a brain tumour, because if you Google headache on the internet, a lot of time you’re going to come to the conclusion you’ve got a brain tumour,” Brown explained.
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Brown said the websites that make their way to the top of search engines are often those with business interests, and can circulate misinformation.
“The agencies that are officially in charge of health are not as visible on the internet; they may not be as internet savvy as we’d like them to be,” he said.
While Google triggers some to seek emergency care for minor ailments, Dr. Dalibor Slavik said an even bigger concern is those who only use Google, and don’t consult with a doctor.
“They could develop a disease or conditions that require more emergent and extensive treatment that could’ve been avoided,” Slavik explained.
The Saskatchewan Medical Association hopes agencies will work to boost their online presence, so accurate information prevails.
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