Web Searches Increase Health Fears, Study Finds
Researchers at Microsoft have determined that Internet searches for medical information can lead to undue stress and worry, reports the BBC.
Having surveyed 515 Microsoft employees, the researchers found that subjects who searched for benign symptoms went on to search for grave illnesses in subsequent searches one third of the time. For instance, one subject might be experiencing a headache, search for "headache" on Google, find a Wikipedia article, read something about "brain tumors," and then, thoroughly freaked out, go back to Google to search for "brain tumors."
These nervy folks are colloquially known as 'cyberchondriacs,' a term whose origin is cloudy, but whose application has become widespread as more and more Internet surfers become their own physicians.
"Our results show that Web search engines have the potential to escalate medical concerns," researcher Eric Horvitz told the BBC. One spokesperson for medical Web site NHS Direct explained to the BBC, "The Web can be a useful tool to find out more information about conditions, but it should not replace talking to an expert."
And we agree, no degree of research should replace proper medical consultation. While we are all for the Internet, and the information it offers up, we also know that there's certain information best left to those trained to interpret it. You wouldn't remove your appendix just because you found a "How To" article, would you? [From: BBC]
