Are You a “Cyberchondriac”?
Thursday, January 8th, 2009
A recent study performed by a team at Microsoft concluded that people are searching the internet for health related information and diagnosing themselves; often with inaccurate diagnoses. For example, someone with a headache could think that they have a tumor, after online investigation.
515 employees at Microsoft were surveyed and about one third of them confirmed that they “escalated” their searches after an initial diagnosis to explore more serious, and rare, aliments.
It’s important to remember that online medical advice should not replace the advice of your physician. Experts say if you are concerned about your health, go see a doctor.
To read the story from BBC News, visit here: