Why It Might Be OK to Call Dr. Google Sometimes
photo by laura4smith
Another day, another study telling us we too often consult Dr. Google when we’re feeling sick. (Remember our discussion about that here?) Turn to the Internet, experts say, and you risk freaking yourself out bigtime. And diagnosing yourself with a rare, life-threatening disease native to a small island off the coast of Africa when you really have a rash.
I’ve been there, too. There was the first time I got a migraine with an aura, when I was absolutely positive I was having a stroke. I’m pretty sure, if I thought long and hard enough about it, I could find reason to believe I have typhoid fever, boils, or prostate cancer. (I’m not sure how I’d rationalize that last one, but never underestimate the ability of a hypochondriac to imagine body parts.)
But still. Sometimes visiting the doctor is a big, fat, expensive waste of time.
Case in point: About a month ago, I googled a health problem I was having. I printed out a page—my self-diagnosis, if you will—and brought it to my primary care physician. Here’s how it went down (keeping in mind I have insurance):
Cab ride to primary care physician: $20
Copay: $20
Bill for blood tests: $85
Cab ride to work: $20
And then I got a referral to a specialist. From there:
Cab ride to specialist: $40
Copay: $40
Bill for visit not covered by insurance: $47
Cab ride home: Free, thanks to The Man
The total, out of pocket: $272
The diagnosis? The same as what I’d found for free online.
I’m not saying we should ditch our docs and stick with Google. Obviously, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to make an appointment, and brushing something off because some site said you’re in the clear could lead to a missed diagnosis. Scary stuff. (Not only that, but when else will you get to wear a thin paper robe in a freezing room? Seriously.) But will I ever ditch the medical web searches because I might misdiagnose an eye twitch for Parkinson’s? Probably not.
What are your thoughts on paying a (free) visit to Dr. Google?
17 comments
OUCH!! I rarely go to the doctor (knock on wood) unless I know I can’t cure whatever is wrong with me without a prescription. Because I like to live on the edge like that.
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I use Dr. Google to get worked up about my symptoms, which usually results in the real M.D. thinking I am insane. Google’s a great resource but it often leads me to think I have cancer when I’ve only stubbed my toe!
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I had to stop using Dr. Google! Sometimes there’s just WAY too much info on there and it makes me crazy!
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That’s crazy that you diagnosed yourself. I typically don’t go to the doc unless something is falling off. The BEST story I have is when a former coworker diagnosed herself on WebMD with appendicitis…and she was right! It saved her life.
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Tracey Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
Wow, that’s a good thing! I think in instances like that–where it’s the difference between getting to a doctor and waiting it out–researching your pain may be a good thing.
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I usually freak myself out on Google and then end up at the doctor. But this is usually only after a week of seeing if anything terrible happens. I don’t like to freak myself out too early or go to the doctor too early!
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I’m guilty of not referring to either at times. It will take a lot to get me to go to a doctor. And even more to google what’s wrong with me- because I know I’ll scare the crap out of myself.
Last year, I’m positive my leg was about to completely dismember itself before I went to an orthopedist who told me I has a stress reaction and was close to fracturing the top of my femur. Oops…
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Tracey Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
Oh my goodness…that sounds painful. You must have a crazy high pain tolerance.
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I have had a few similar experiences myself. The last time I noticed something weird, I googled it extensively only to find it could be a number of totally different things. Some of the things looked more serious than others, so I decided to make an appointment. The doc said everything was normal and that it was worth coming for the “peace of mind”. Even with insurance, the peace of mind was quite pricey!
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Tracey Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Agreed! Peace of mind eats into my rent budget.
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If it’s really serious and something that’s been bothering me for a while, I’ll usually go to the doctor. If it’s something I’d like to research a bit first and keep to myself, I’ll turn to Dr Google. I love your name for him.
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I usually visit a doctor as my very last resort. I don’t have a lot of faith in them after spending thousands trying to figure out my stomach problems when it all boiled down to food intolerances.
I say Google all the way!!
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My thoughts:
If you look online and the only things you come up with are serious, go to the doctor. If you think you know how to fix it And can do it at home, try it out And see if it gets better!
The worst thing that can happen is that your DIY fix doesn’t work And you have to go to the doctor later.
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I’m all for self-diagnosing for those who have a clue about health and aren’t hypochondriacs. But if you need drugs, cab fare and co-pay it is, I guess.
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Honestly, I get scared of googleing things when I feel sick! You know on Sex and the City when Miranda says if you want self diagnosis, just type in your symptoms and scroll down until you see cancer… eek!
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I can’t go online… I totally freak myself out. Lol.
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Dr. Google tells me that I have every possible thing wrong with me that I could ever have.
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