THE ARTICLE
We have access to more health information than ever before. If you feel a symptom coming on, perhaps a cough or cold, or an odd pain in your knee or tummy, all you have to do is hop online and Google it and – poof! Thousands of health websites, news sites and blogs become available, each with their own information about what your symptoms might mean and what they could lead to. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
It is both good and bad. Patients today are more able to take charge of their health care than ever before. Information is available about almost every condition known to man, so that without going to medical school, we can play an important role with our doctor in our care. It used to be that the doctor was the specially trained “know it all” to whom we deferred all our medical choices. Not anymore. Now we can show up at our appointments armed with questions about our symptoms and treatment options, allowing us a greater measure of control in what happens to us during our care.
These advances couldn’t have come at a better time, with initial doctor’s appointments usually assigned in 10-minute blocks: you had better be able to explain yourself clearly and concisely if you are to get an accurate opinion from your healthcare provider. Now we have the ability to prepare for these brief meetings and get the most out of them.
However, it can be too overwhelming to just look at the list of hundreds of sites and even know how to begin to prepare. Here are some guidelines to help you in your search for medical answers, and to avoid the pitfalls of information overload.
First, think about the kind of information seeker you are. Some people find that information makes them feel more in control, while others find it scary and overwhelming. How wild does your imagination run? Do you feel paralysed if you have a range of options to choose from, or do you feel empowered and motivated? Be honest with yourself. For some, knowing the reality of all the risks makes treatment options seem more manageable. So, consider your goals before you start your search for medical answers.
Remember that you don’t need to go to medical school to play an important role in your care. Doctors are not all knowing, nor do they have special powers we don’t. You are unlikely to find an obscure cure for any disease on the internet, but you may find the most reputable resources available to provide you with further information about your condition. In general, look for resources that seem to have your best interests at heart. You will get many different answers to your questions, so if one or more resources seems to care more about the same things you care about, the better fit they are for your particular needs.
Don’t be taken in by statistics. In your search, you are likely to come across some pretty scary statistics. There are examples of tragic outcomes to almost any condition, just as there is the smallest chance an aeroplane will crash. Statistics should not decide anything about your care.
Search further than the Internet. You can expand your search for information in many directions, and you should. Your doctor should be able to provide other doctors you can talk to for second and third opinions. Your family and friends probably knows more healthcare providers as well. Don’t rule out qualified alternative health practitioners if there are some who interest you and who seem to have good results with people you know. The old fashioned library is still an excellent resource for all kinds of information in many formats: books, DVDs, online, and more.
Don’t exclude your doctor. Take the information you find to your doctor and discuss it. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing issues frankly with your doctor, he or she may not be the best healthcare provider for you. Remember that doctors and other providers work for you – they are experts you hire – not the other way around. It’s very important that you feel well served by them, or you should find someone else. Doctor’s shouldn’t be threatened by the information available on the internet; in fact they should be willing to discuss it with you and even be a part of the search process. They should be partners in your care, not your parents or superiors.
If you find your search getting to upsetting or overwhelming, stop, take a break, and focus on your well being in other ways. It is possible to get too involved in online searching, to the point where you neglect the rest of your life and your own mental and physical health. No matter what your condition, appropriate exercise, good food, and fresh air are essential to healing, as well as to a more peaceful state of mind. Maintain a balance between information searching and just plain living, and you’ll be more likely to find the balance you need to get well.
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