During the COVID-19 epidemic, many people accessed their health care providers virtually, which led to a widespread use of virtual health care and its associated technologies. However, because of the ease and convenience of access to technology, some people may choose to forego traditional medical care in favor of directly consulting Dr. Google or self-diagnosing their conditions online.
When a person suspects they may be sick and does an internet search for information regarding a symptom or a medical indicator, this is known as self-diagnosis. Incorrect diagnoses made by patients themselves can lead them in the wrong direction, which is why self-diagnosis is discouraged.
One of the potential adverse effects of using internet health information is an increase in anxiousness and dread. A person who experiences a high quantity of health worry as a result of Googling symptoms on the internet may be said to have cyberchondria.
Self-misdiagnosis is another risky practice, particularly if it results in the patient not seeking treatment.
There is also the possibility of developing such a strong conviction that one's self-diagnosis is accurate that it becomes challenging to acknowledge that a health care expert may have arrived at a different conclusion. A wrong diagnosis might even be highly dangerous if it leads to missed symptoms of a potentially life-threatening condition like a heart attack, stroke, seizure, or tumor.
- Misdiagnosis
The first danger is that they might overlook something minor but significant about their condition or issues, which would then lead to them giving a wrong diagnosis to themselves, which might have potentially disastrous consequences. Misdiagnosis is common when people try to help themselves. It's possible to confuse the signs of one illness with those of another. It's easy to make the wrong diagnosis without the help of a trained medical practitioner. When a patient is incorrectly diagnosed, they may receive unnecessary or even harmful care. Treatment Delay
Self-diagnosis is a common cause of treatment delays. A person may start self-treating with OTC drugs or home remedies if they self-diagnose and arrive at the incorrect diagnosis. This can cause difficulties by delaying the correct diagnosis and treatment.
- Overdiagnosis
Overdiagnosis is another possible outcome of self-diagnosis; this occurs when a person mistakes perfectly healthy fluctuations in their body for a major medical problem. This may result in costly and perhaps dangerous medical procedures and interventions.
- Possibility of Severe Illness
Self-diagnosis has the potential to conceal life-threatening illnesses that might benefit greatly from prompt medical intervention. Complications from major illnesses can be fatal if care is delayed or ignored.
- Inadequate Knowledge
Medical professionals have spent years developing their abilities in the art of disease diagnosis and treatment in order to become specialists in their fields. No amount of research or time spent diagnosing yourself can ever replace the expertise of a trained doctor. Expert medical care includes diagnosis, treatment, and guidance on how to live with the condition.
- Worry and Tension
Anxiety and tension might be compounded by attempts at self-diagnosis. The internet's wealth of knowledge on medical conditions may be both reassuring and terrifying. The resulting worry and stress can exacerbate symptoms and slow healing.
- Improper Medical Care
Self-diagnosis is risky since it may result in unneeded or dangerous therapy. Only a doctor or other medical expert can diagnose and treat a patient properly.
- Doctor-Patient Relationship
Self-diagnosis also undermines the doctor's function, which is not the best approach to begin a relationship. While doctors are generally eager to receive packaged information, it would be beneficial if you actually trusted your doctor. If you can't trust your doctor, reconsider your reasons for seeing him or her. Your doctor should respect your viewpoint, but the conversation should be active.