June 7, 2005 09:50 AM
Is Google helping patients ?
No suprise here. Google is very popular with patients as well, as reported by The Times Online:
“GOOGLE, the internet search engine, has now become one of the patient’s best friends, second only to the family doctor. A survey of 1,000 people found that 12 per cent turn first to Google. Fewer consult family and friends, the media or medical encyclopaedias when faced with a medical problem. “
Now, are they really being helped ? There is nothing to tell them what is decent and what isn't. It is being increasingly difficult to explain to patients that not everything they read online is true. Some patients bring printouts and links.
Freedom and accessibility to information is great. But in the hands of the public that is not trained in Medicine it can also be dangerous.
Posted by leo at June 7, 2005 09:50 AM
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