Do you really know? What are the dangers of self-diagnosis?
Apr 15, 2025
In an age when Dr. Google is consulted frequently, the risks of self-diagnosis loom large. The podcast dives into how many turn to social media and AI for health advice, often overlooking the potential dangers. Listeners learn that while online searches are convenient, they can lead to serious misdiagnoses. It highlights the crucial importance of seeking professional medical guidance over unreliable internet sources. Quick tips for navigating health information responsibly are also shared, ensuring that knowledge empowers rather than endangers.
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Self-Diagnosis Dangers
- Many people use the internet to self-diagnose their illnesses, but this can be dangerous.
- In 2019, 7% of all Google searches, a staggering 70,000 per minute, were health-related.
Reasons for Self-Diagnosis
- While seeing a doctor is ideal, many factors contribute to online health information seeking.
- Cost, 24/7 availability, embarrassment, financial constraints, and specialist access all play a role.
Inaccurate Symptom Checkers
- A 2020 Australian study revealed that symptom checkers are only 36% accurate.
- Even with three attempts, accuracy only rose to 52%, highlighting the limitations of self-diagnosis tools.