You have a throbbing headache which you can’t shake. You pop your symptoms into Dr. Google. A myriad of diagnoses come up, varying from a tension headache to a tumour! Unfortunately, self-diagnosing on the Internet can sometimes cause more harm than good. New research reports
that 80% of Internet users in the US search for health-related topics online.

While the stats aren’t similarly available for SA, Digital in 2018 found that close to 60% of South Africans now have access to the Internet. It seems we could be using this to self-diagnose. Indeed, South African doctors agree that more and more patients are Google-searching their symptoms before consulting a medical professional, according to Dr. Marion Morkel, Chief Medical Officer at Sanlam.

Access to medical information 24/7

Other than for ease of access, Dr. Morkel says people consult the Internet for a second opinion, because they’re curious about health-related issues, or want clarity on a doctor’s advice. “It’s free, fast and available 24/7!”

She says that there is conflicting data on the ratio of accurate versus inaccurate medical information online. “A 2014 survey looked at ten medical Wikipedia posts on popular medical topics and cross-referenced them with evidence-based and peer-reviewed information. It found that 9 out of 10 of these Wikipedia posts contained inaccurate medical information. On the other hand, data also suggests that medical professionals confirm 41% of internet self-diagnosis”.

Prior Google searches can ease first-time doctor appointments
Dr. Sindi Van Zyl, a medical doctor with an active Twitter community, agrees that fighting the use of the Internet in accessing medical information is a futile effort, “Instead, more medical professionals should embrace it. I find that patients announcing that they have looked up their symptoms online is a great ice-breaker – especially for those first few sessions where they might be a little nervous. It’s also a great leveler of the patient-doctor dynamic – instead of them relinquishing their power completely, we become collaborative partners in addressing their health issues”.

HPCSA telemedicine-aligned info can be helpful

Dr. Van Zyl shares medical information on Twitter in line with the HPCSA’s (Health Professions Council of South Africa) telemedicine guidelines and says that this provides an additional platform to make a real difference. “Due to the information I have shared on Twitter on the topic of Prevention-of-Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT), for example, there is a young child in Nigeria who was born HIV negative, to a mother living with HIV.” According to HPCSA regulations, medical professionals in South Africa are not allowed to provide diagnosis or prescribe any schedule 4 medication over the Internet. However, Dr. Morkel says that doctors can often effectively conduct virtual follow-up consultations.

Chatbots are useful assistants to medical professionals

“For example, depending on the specific programme and aims, chatbots have become so sophisticated that they can function as virtual assistants. They can help simplify medical information and act as interpreters where there are language barriers,” she says.

The rise of cyberchondria

When asked about the impact of the Internet on hypochondria, Dr Morkel says there is no doubt that it has increased the incidence of the recently coined variation called ‘cyberchondria’. This can be tied to over-diagnosis and increase in psychological disorders (such as anxiety). Those who frequently look up medical symptoms online can often magnify the severity of their symptoms once presenting to the doctor. Doctors can also become ‘hardened’ and convinced that patients quoting online references are cyberchondriac and have exaggerated symptoms.

Hypochondria can deplete medical funds

Dr. Morkel says that hypochondria can also contribute to accelerated medical fund depletion. Financially, it can lead to depletion of medical funds for those on medical aid and insurance. For others, this means possibly unnecessary and expensive medical costs to prove the truth of self-diagnosis based on online information.

Van Zyl argues, that cyberchondria is not entirely contrary. “It steers you into action. In the black community, many people won’t consult a doctor or nurse until it is nasty. The Internet is helping people to be more vigilant. We can address hypochondria, but there’s little we can do for patients who present too late.”

She agrees with Dr. Morkel that the key is to ensure:

  • That you are accessing medical information from a reputable site
  • That the data is not outdated or irrelevant geographically
  • That you consult a medical professional – whether a pharmacist for minor symptoms, or a nurse or doctor for persisting and severe symptoms

Dr. Morkel says that if you are prone to cyberchondria, it is advisable to stop the online searches. “It is best to limit your exposure to stress-inducing medical information online. Rather follow your instinct and common sense. If your symptoms worsen, seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible. Moreover, make sure you have all the right medical aid and risk cover in place to ensure that the financial side is taken care of when medical treatment is needed.”

Dr Marion Morkel, Chief Medical Officer at Sanlam (left) and Dr Sindi Van Zyl (right)
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