July 20, 2005
Cyberchondriacs
Wall Street Journal columnist Dr. Benjamin Brewer yesterday looked at how the increase in health information online has led to more patients taking responsibility for their health. Brewer writes that what "troubles" him is the "proliferation of the partially informed patients and ... the misinformed patients - the patient who crosses the line from Internet-educated patient to cyberchondriac."
It seems that "self-directed online medical investigations" can result in similar symptoms that can be attributed to several diseases, and most patients do not have the background and experience to effectively narrow down the possibilities. It also seems that rare and serious diseases seem more common and prominent online, while mundane and nonthreatening illnesses are less popular
California Healthcare Foundation Report
Wall St. Journal
WSJ article (time limited link)