While surfing the internet, do you find yourself second-guessing the validity of the articles that you read or just simply take it at face value? I strongly suggest you consider taking a closer look at the source from which the material was derived.
Unfortunately, there are sites designed to market specific treatments and pharmaceuticals to its viewers. This can pose as a serious threat to your health if you attempt to self-diagnose at home. While it is our responsibility as individuals to take a proactive stance in terms of health care, we must take the time to identify and evaluate the validity of the source.
I am happy to mention that there are many scholarly sources such as MayoClinic and Centers for Disease Control which have links to other credible sites that may help you in your search.
What are your thoughts regarding the deliberate online marketing tactics used by some pharmaceutical companies to gain your business? Do you think the dialogue presented by MedicalFanatics has helped you to closely critique the information listed on websites?
I agree that information retrieved from an online source (especially medical) should be carefully evaluated by the reader. Drug companies are all about business and making money. Therefore, consumers have to make educated decisions when it comes to their health. One way to do it is to see a doctor. Of course there is always a chance of being misdiagnosed, but the likelihood of that happening is much less than engaging in self- diagonosis and self-medication.
ReplyDeleteI checked out a MayoClinic site (thank you for recommending credible sources). I typed "common cold" in a search engine. The site offered references, an option to find a doctor, and offered various links to patient services and health care professionals. These factors, in my opinion, constitute a credible source.
Would you be able to let the readers know about the sites that should be avoided?
Yes, MedicalFanatics will expose websites that are not deemed to be credible sources. However, the main focus will be to give starting points of reference to insure that the readers are using good healthcare sources.
ReplyDeleteGood discussion here. I'm sorry to see that no one else is engaging what is already developing into an interesting dialogue.
ReplyDeletethis is a really interesting topic to be dicussing i feel that some sites like webmd and others help to an extent but overall the doctor is the place to go.
ReplyDeleteWhen going online to look for health information I believe there is a risk that people are taking. Like you said there are sites that are not credible and those sites are the ones we should stay away from.
ReplyDeleteFor me I believe a quick visit to the doctor is the best choice for when you may have questions about your health. Who else knows what they are talking about better than your own doctor.
I found this post to be very interesting because I found myself going to WebMD.com once to try and figure out why I was having certain symptoms and did not check to see if the information I revceived was credible. I am a firm believer in doing research and educating one's self on something as important as your health. I do think that some people take it too far when they try to treat themselves completely without consulting their physician first. So, I guess that I am a supporter of both sides. I think that it's okay for people to want to know more about themselves but that they shouldn't try to do an at home procedure because they are not a trained medical physician.
ReplyDeletePeople in the medical field don’t know all what they say they do because if they did they wouldn’t need another doctor to come and recheck you for the signs health issues. If they went to school to become a medical field person they should already know what signs are for what sickness? Now you tell me if you go to a hospital it shouldn’t take half of the night to get diagnose with something. that means if you want to know about certain things that going on in your body then you should look it up yourself then let them know cause sometimes I just think that they just give you some medicine and sent you on your way but you still have the pain and other stuff going on with you. I think that the health of the community is in bad shape because no doctor wants to operate for free on someone without insurance or for those matters a person with a disease that can’t be cured what kind of medicine would be appropriate for their aches and pain. There’s no way people can describe what the cause is and how to fix it. If we trust ever doctor with our health issues then we all should be feeling just fine afterwards but they not going to happen because they just give us anything to try and see if it really works. I had it up with enough with health issues because you come in for a headache they give you something for pain but nothing to do with a headache that how people are so judgmental on hospitals because they do a whole lot of unnecessary stuff like running you under an mri just to see what caused this problem, try these pills who do they think they are were not just some lab rats who is looking for a cure were humans beings. So when it comes to going to the doctor I treat myself unless I’m having an attack or something. People in the medical field should be more focus on the patient.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that this week there were no new posts by medicalfanatics. I was looking forward to learning more about the medical field. I hope to see new posts soon.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this blog brings up some interesting questions, I can't think of one reason to consult a website versus making a doctor's appointment to find out what may be ailing you. I, of all people, realize the expenses associated with medical diagnotics, treatments and prescription drugs. However, I would never, personally consult a webpage, website, nor the internet; to find out what is wrong with me. my well-being is far too important to me.
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