Online Health Diagnosis; should such health care information be readily available on the internet?

1. CON's

1.1. Not all internet websites have legitimate sources and information

1.2. Patients may self diagnose themselves incorrectly and dismiss medical care

1.3. Loss of business for doctors and medical centres

1.4. Patients may miss symptoms and other health issues that doctors would otherwise find

1.5. So many similar symptoms for all ailments and illnesses, almost impossible to narrow it down to one result. Patient may think they have a brain tumour, when they in fact have a common cold; or vice versa

1.6. Referring to above; can cause unnecessary stress in patients and impact their day to day life

2. Long term negative effects

2.1. If it becomes more popular the health care industry will lose business and could mean a significant loss of jobs/less employment opportunities

2.2. Patients ignoring to visit their GP's over long periods of time may be subject to serious health issues that require a more difficult treatment when finally acknowledged

2.3. In some cases missed professional diagnosis and treatment may be fatal in outcome

3. Short term negative effects

3.1. Patients ignore seeking immediate medical attention, resulting in sickness and other issues

4. Cybercondria; what is it?

4.1. A person who compulsively searches the internet for information about a particular real or imaginary symptom/s of illness

4.2. A state of anxiety

4.3. Leads to self-daignosis

5. PRO's

5.1. Saves patients time and money

5.2. Convenient for people with busy lifestyles

5.3. There are very limited medical services located in some remote and rural areas

5.4. Gives patients an idea whether or not their symptoms are serious and if they should seek medical help proffessionally

5.5. Can provide an idea of what health issues the patient has; can lead them in the right direction of what type of medical help they may need

5.6. Serves as a tool of education for patients. Can find information they may be embarrassed or unwilling to ask their GP's

5.7. Numerous different sources to find different opinions and compare

6. Other possible alternative options/changes to the issue

6.1. GP's set up affordable online health centres where patients can talk to a real qualified doctor and gain help and informations

6.2. More health care services introduced to rural areas

6.3. Reduce health care costs for consultations

6.4. Bring in laws that forbid any illegitimate websites from publishing such health care information

6.5. Health care websites to be thoroughly screened before being allowed to publish medical information

7. DR GOOGLE; what is it?

7.1. Information sourced from a professional credited GP

7.2. Correct and legitimate information that surfaces when researching specific symptoms/illnesses through google

7.3. Only a guideline; still advised to seek proffessional medical help