Don’t rely on online medical advice

Australian Medical Association president, Dr Steve Hambleton, commends Australians for taking an interest in their health; but warns online medical research can be disastrous.

“It is a problem because the internet is very accessible and has greater advantages and enormous amounts of information… but the chances of getting personalised and accurate health care is not good online,” he tells DPS News.

Dr Hambleton’s comments come after research released last week showing Australians would rather obtain health information from the internet than a doctor.

The survey, commissioned by non-profit association Epilepsy Action Australia, found just 47% of respondents rated a visit to the doctor as their preferred way of getting information about health conditions, compared to 62% who preferred going online.

“Individuals trying to make a diagnosis using support from the internet are trying to do the most difficult thing. Most medical staff have been specialised for more than a decade and are trained to make diagnoses,” Dr Hambleton explains, adding many doctors know a patient’s history and can conduct appropriate examinations.

However, Dr Hambleton insists he does want patients to use the internet to learn more about health conditions they are diagnosed with, but it becomes a problem when patients self-diagnose incorrectly using online sources. 

“Let’s work in partnership. By all means, expand your skills on your condition; but be careful as you could embark on treatment that has harmful side-effects and you could be depriving yourself of proper treatment, or you could be treating a condition you don’t even have,” he says.

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