RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Why Physician Guidance Matters: A Night of Neuralgia, Meningitis, and WebMD
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 462
OP 464
DO 10.1370/afm.2414
VO 17
IS 5
A1 Au, Anson
YR 2019
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/17/5/462.abstract
AB During a night of severe pain and weakness, I found several plausible-sounding diagnoses online: occipital neuralgia, nerve damage, and meningitis. The next day, I consulted a physician who did not offer professional guidance; instead the physician suggested tests entirely based on my self-diagnoses. What resulted was an unnecessary array of lengthy and costly testing that did not diagnose the problem. Although my symptoms disappeared on their own, I was left feeling mistrustful of my physician and ultimately stressed and anxious. Against the backdrop of my experience, I highlight the potential harms of Internet-based self-diagnoses and the importance of collaboration and trust in the patient-physician relationship.