The Cyberchrondria Dilemma
by Paula Lovell on February 7, 2012 | 7 comments
in Healthcare, Marketing
For those of us in healthcare marketing, it’s important to study the public’s evolving and expanding online habits.
So I’m fascinated and mildly amused by the newest cyber-contagion spreading through communities: cyberchrondria. The word probably doesn’t require definition. It’s a term coined to describe people’s obsession with self-diagnosis based on reading online healthcare info.
According to American Medical News, which cites a Pew Research study, 80% of internet users search for health information online. Since about 75% of Americans go online, that’s almost 60% of the US population who are ferreting out online information about illnesses or diseases related to themselves or someone they care about. Some of that information is quite reliable; some not so much so.
Physicians are now reporting an increased number of patients who are needlessly worried about diseases they think they have as a result of internet reading. The docs say they require significantly more time and counsel or, even worse, they sometimes demand costly screenings and tests just to prove they DON’T have a certain disease.
Recently I got an unusual diagnosis which will probably have little or no impact on my life or long term health. The physician (not the best communicator, by the way) said, “And don’t go out and read about it online; it’ll just scare you.” You can imagine the first thing I did when I got back to the office. (And it did scare me to death.) Suddenly I just knew I was having a reaction to the medicine (I wasn’t) and I was diving into “chat rooms” populated by people with the same “disease.” (I’ve never heard so many old wives tales.)
At a time when government, physicians, patients, and insurers are looking for ways to reduce healthcare costs, this can’t be good. By the same token, patients are being encouraged to play a more intimate role in their own healthcare. What’s an intelligent person to do?
As you know, I have also been diagnosed with a fairly unusual situation recently. Your article doesn’t surprise me in the least, as we are all trained by now to see what we can glean from a quick tour of the web as soon as any issue arises, much less our own health. I even looked up your diagnosis as I had never heard of it before. Gave up quickly since I am not a doctor. We certainly must seek the truth, but we can’t equate web with truth.
Thanks for commenting, Barrett. I agree: web does not necessarily = truth.
Lots of illnesses may cause similar symptoms, and some illnesses or medical problems may be associated with one of many possible underlying causes. Doctors and health providers are trained to identify patterns of symptoms, severity, acuity and use these and other factors to decide on which tests need to be done. Live healthy, be physically active and exercise daily, maintain a reasonable weight, avoid smoking and limit alcohol and caffeine. Keep up with your preventive care. If you develop unusual symptoms that persist, find a knowledgable, well-trained doctor who listens. Up to nInety percent of diagnoses can be made just from the history. Of course, these should be corroborated by physical exam and tests if indicated. In our push button society, we tend to want an instant answer. A web diagnosis may not be a true diagnosis. Phone care may be expedient, but sometimes the doctor needs to see you to be able to tell how serious your problem is. Once diagnosed, sometimes it’s helpful to read about your illness (even on the web) to inform yourself and know which questions to ask.
Good advice. Thanks, Esther.
The doctor tells me his aim is to keep me in shape, healthy and able to work until at least one hundred. I really like my doctor, but I too spend a significant amount of time on the computer. Whats a guy to do when he has checked out all the 40′ sailboats, ford f-150 lightnings and assorted Colt sidearms? Well the answer to that is easy, I research the little ache in my gut or the naging cough that has come out of no where. I know that if I go to the Doc’s office I will be sentenced to an interminable wait, thorough probing and weighing etc. by his plump and sternly efficient crew of hench women after which they will grill me about why I haven’t lost the 10 pounds since the last visit, yet. After Christmas I can plead the hollidays but most of the time I am forced to remain mute, maybe whine a little and hope they will go away. But of course they have taken notes that can and will be used against me in the future. After cooling my heels for five to ten minutes in comes Carlos, my Doc and I love him, he brings relief in many forms but like the inquision relief comes only after squishing my left arm, a thourough gagging witha stick and needle tourture. He of course smiles while muttering something like this might sting a little.
My favorite time at the Doc’s is when he writes the script. After which we discuss whatever book I have been reading or the state of the union.
The internet is cool and when I only hurt a little I go to internet Doc but when I feel I am in danger there is nothing like good old corporeal Docter Carlos to get me back on my feet.
PS, I cant spell for beans, fact is might of spelled everything correctly and I would never know it. Is this a sickness? I will goggle it ASAP!
I love it! Thanks for engaging on this topic.
Probably just as well that I am unable to find much time for medsurfing. However, I think I might check out arthritis!