Did you know that approximately 1% of all Google searches (think millions) are symptom-related? Google allows us to be self-sufficient, however, health content on the web can be very difficult to navigate and usually results in a misdiagnosis and more often than not a bout of anxiety because we tend to navigate to the “worst case” scenario diagnosis. To try and tackle this challenge Google has recruited medical professionals from Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, and other institutions to double-check sources for accuracy.
Furthermore, in the next few days, when you ask Google about symptoms you will be shown a list of related conditions and given a description along with information on self-treatment options and what might warrant a doctor’s visit. Google’s goal is to help people navigate and explore health conditions related to their symptoms and more quickly get to in-depth research or make a decision to contact their doctor.
While the use of Google to diagnose is a convenient option, it is important to remember information on Google is intended for informational purposes only, and you should always consult a doctor for medical advice. As a millennial I am curious to see this new and improved symptom search from Google – I can’t wait to see what I diagnose myself with next!
