MPS Opinion: Dr Cyberspace

By Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications 

More than one billion people worldwide now have access to the internet, and eight out of ten use Google to find websites – a figure that is likely to increase even further in the UK if the government’s vision of "broadband access for all” is achieved.

As the number of people accessing the internet grows, MPS members have seen an increasing trend towards self-diagnosis by patients taking advantage of the wealth of information now available online. Although the internet can provide information and understanding about medical conditions, there are serious risks inherent in the safety and accuracy of self-diagnosis.

Many of us will have typed our symptoms into Google to find all manner of possible diagnoses. Although most people would disregard this, the internet can bring an increased sense of anxiety to many patients and unrealistic ideas about treatment.

Difficulties can arise from lay interpretation of potentially complex medical information and terminology, and the variable quality of the information available. Indeed a recent MPS survey of nearly 900 members found that the majority of doctors (82%) agree or strongly agree that the internet causes patients undue anxiety. More than half of respondents (57%) agreed that a patient’s research could result in disagreements between doctor and patient.

I wouldn’t for a second say that patients should not search for information online, as the internet can be a very useful tool in promoting a mutually beneficial discussion between the doctor and patient about a condition and its treatment. The information available can also help improve patients’ knowledge and understanding.

However, patients may not necessarily disclose the information that they have found or may make a misdiagnosis based on incorrect or incomplete information. It is also important that the doctor does not respond to pressure and so provide treatment they don’t feel is safe, appropriate or in the patient’s best interests.

Therefore, whilst access to medical information has its benefits to both patients and their doctors, I suggest that the internet should come with a health warning. It is important that patients are encouraged by their doctors to understand the limitations of online information, and how to use it to best effect.