What about Google Search Results? Show Search engines such as Google use algorithms to filter, or tailor, the search results you see. Based on previous searches you have done - the sites you have viewed, what you clicked on and other data that can be gathered from your browser - Google will give you search results tailored for you using a 'relevance algorithm'. That is why you will often notice advertisements or recommendations for products and services based on where you shop and what you watch online. So the exact same search, using exactly the same search words, can return different results for different individuals. Are you comfortable with the idea that a computer is making decisions about what information you are shown in your search results? Eli Pariser is the author of the book The Filter Bubble and he gave a TED talk based on that book. Click on the video to view this fascinating TED talk and learn more about how filter bubbles may impact how you search for information online.
A 2010 Nielsen study showed that searching for health and medical information was among the top 10 internet activities for online Australians over 16 years of age. We go online to find health information for a range of reasons, including to:
Around a quarter of all Australians regularly seek health information online. It is expected that this will increase as more people use the internet to supplement their doctor's advice. However, it seems that the vast majority of people still seek medical attention for diagnosis and information about prescription medication or for a referral. The dangers of self-diagnosisIt is important not to use online health information to self-diagnose or self-medicate. Always see your doctor or another healthcare professional registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Self-diagnosis using medical websites is always tricky, because the information provided tends to relate to specific medical conditions rather than your particular situation. For example, if you type the symptom 'stomach pain' into the search engine of a general health and medical website, it may offer gastritis, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome or gastroenteritis for further information. It would be a mistake to consider these suggestions as diagnoses. Your stomach pain could be caused by a build up of gas following the baked beans and eggs you had for lunch, or it may indicate a life-threatening emergency. Safety issues include:
Be wary of online health and medicalproductsA huge range of health and medical products are sold online. It is very difficult to judge a good quality product from a poor one over the internet. Be cautious and consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before parting with your money. While some products are available from reputable companies, others are marketed by unscrupulous people wanting to get rich from gullible online consumers. The product you purchase could be bogus, may contain harmful ingredients not shown on the label or may be unsuitable for your condition. Remember that this or any other checklist isn't foolproof. Generally speaking, you should ask yourself the following questions before deciding whether to trust the information presented on a medical website:
You should also find a health information website that is easy to use. If you encounter a poorly constructed website, you should look for alternative sources of information. Questions you could ask yourself include:
Think about questions to ask your doctorUsing the internet to get better informed about your medical condition can help you decide what questions to ask your doctor. However, it is not a substitute for obtaining high-quality and reliable information from your doctor. Always see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment advice. It is a good idea to discuss online health information you have found with your doctor or other healthcare professional. However, don't expect them to have enough time to read multiple pages of information. Before you visit the doctor, you should:
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