How to Search Online for a Diagnosis

The wealth of health information available online enables us to act as our own advocate and ask our doctors better informed questions. If you have received a diagnosis recently, here are some things to think about before searching for information on the Web.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Obtain the correct spelling. If you have not received any printed materials about your diagnosis from the doctor, check the online version of the "Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy."
2. Consider Web sites sponsored by the government or research institutions. These websites will have addresses that end in ".gov" or ".edu." An example of a government Web site includes the National Institutes of Health.
3. Find out how current the information on the Web site is. Medical information should be updated and validated regularly.
4. Keep your health information private. Some Web sites ask for personal information before you are allowed to access their content. Find out how the Web site is going to use your information before you share it.
5. Utilize chat rooms with caution. Chat rooms may be frequented by anyone, including people who are misinformed about your diagnosis. Verify the accuracy of any information you receive in a chat room with your doctor.
6. Protect yourself from false health claims found on the Internet. Individuals managing a newly diagnosed condition can be vulnerable to health fraud when they look for hope in medically unproven treatments.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use the information found online as a substitute for a doctor's advice. If you are experiencing symptoms of an illness, consult your physician.