Question:
With all due respect to those who have asked such questions, I never did understand why people seek medical advice for themselves from strangers on the Internet.

I can understand if someone is just curious. But if a person has a true medical problem, I would think seeinga doctor would be a much better choice.

So my question is, why do people ask for medical advice on potentially serious health problems on the Internet instead of seeking qualified medical help?

Choices:
The Anonymous Factor
The Instant Response Factor
I Don't Trust Doctors
This Is Cheaper Than A Doctor
Other (what?)

 

A doctor won't usually discuss a patient with anyone but the patient (or parents). If you want to find out how to help a friend or a relative, the net is a good place. Either first-hand advice or weblinks can be really helpful.

I agree with you that asking a doctor is better, when you can. But sometimes, the problem you have is small, or it may be a Friday evening and you won't be able to get to the doctor until Monday (or longer, with our waitinglists!), and your health question is not serious enough to go to the ER. Another possibility is that you want to hear first-hand accounts from people who have gone through the same problem, or see how people in other countries deal with yourt illness, what medication and treatment would be prescribed there.

In my case, I do go to the doctor, but I also do my own research, especially as I am interested in alternative treatments. I feel that while I can trust my doctor, it is the responsibility of the patient to inform her/himself, and that is what I am doing when I ask a question here, or thrawl the net for info on an illness.

I think a lot of people are lazy and it is the habit of modern civilization to take the easy route and not actually think about anything. It's the same for people who ask a lot of questions on this site. It's stuff they should look up for themselves, homework they should do for themselves, information they need to get from their own doctors, but they don't because they're just lazy.
However there are also people who are genuinely interested in different opinions, different approaches, different treatments, that sort of thing.
I think people really need to be careful, though. We don't actually know anything about each other and should not be taking medical advice from each other without a degree of skepticism. ALL medical opinions should be backed up by your own doctor before being implemented!

I think they are really concerned and want to know from other health care workers if they have just any ideas on what to do. Some people don't have the money to go to the doctor everytime they have a health care question. I believe if it is something that could be serious they would go to a hospital or doctor otherwise most of them can come here and see what others have to say before making that choice. Alot of the questions are just general and don't really require a diagnosis which of course we coudn't give.

...point out! there is a statement at the landing page on this forum that advises exactly that. But I think what most people seek here, are similar personal experiences, so they will have an idea of what may be at issue. And I think, probably, most of our authors realize this limitation, as well.


But very good point!

I think that people asking questions about a serious medical issue don't realize that it is serious at all. Many are uncomfortable asking the doctor or making an appointment because they think they are asking stupid questions or making unnecessary appointments for what they feel is too minor of a problem.

Most people are not all that familiar with the medical system. As a nurse, I have been bombarded with all kinds of questions from people. Keep in mind, the doctor does visit them daily since they are on an impatient unit. Do they ask the doctor? No, they ask the nurse. They are many times intimidated by doctors. They breeze in and out not leaving a patient time to ask much. I have suggested to many people to write down questions that I did not feel qualified to answer and thought should be discussed with the doctor that are not of a serious nature. Anything of a serious nature is addressed promptly. When the doctor comes in, they tend to reply to his/her questions and the doc is out the door.