How to Google for better medical advice
Seeking medical advice online should be done with caution, according to experts.
Although the appropriate and helpful information can be accessed on Google, false information and incorrect diagnoses could lead to anxiety or worsen the issue, according to a news article from the Associated Press.
The experts urged individuals searching online to ensure that they use credible sources such as trusted institutions or government agencies rather than always clicking on the first search result, which can often be paid for by companies to appear at the top of the Google results page. Further, artificial intelligence overviews can offer quick answers to medical questions. However, the information may sometimes come from unreliable sources or may be fabricated, especially if no source is attached to the response.
The experts suggested that individuals can receive better results if they search for their symptoms instead of their anticipated diagnoses and focus on the proper phrasing of their questions. Nonetheless, serious symptoms could be a sign of an urgent medical issue and may warrant an immediate visit to a health care provider. The experts concluded that as beneficial as online resources may be, because many medical conditions share symptoms, only a physician can provide a correct diagnosis.
Read more: Associated Press
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.