"Dr. Google" | Arthritis Information

The People's Pharmacy column that used Snow Owl's story mentioned doctors having to deal with patients coming in with info from "Dr. Google".

Yes, I google. But not as much until AFTER two separate specialists and one PA dx'd something, then instead of discussing it thoroughly, wrote it down and waved me off saying, "Go home and google it."

So I google. Doctor's orders. Mainly it helps me know what questions to ask, I think.

But since I see patient googling derided by physicians in some articles, I asked a friend who is a dr. if he had problems with patients who google. He said no, patients who used the internet did not give him any trouble at all. He said his worst problems come from......OPRAH!

He said after Oprah talks about something, tons of patients come in wanting to be tested for it. He said it is terrible for him, because he can't just order tests that he doesn't see a medical reason for. He said patients get very upset and he has to take a lot of time to explain that he can't order labs because they saw it on Oprah.
OMG - that's funny!

Oprah is my hero in a lot of ways. Her book club almost singlehandedly revived the book industry (exageration but kind of true) and people now read more.

I personally don't like the 'eye rolls' when I mention I found some information that might be applicable. Does is matter where I found the info if it's gonna help me heal?

Pip

I truly think it it all in how you approach it with the dr. If you walk in with an "google" diagnosis and treatment plan it is likely to put him off. How many times have we seen just in this forum let alone all the others where someone posts "i have arthritis" and we discover the arthritis diagnosis came from comparing symptoms to a list on the internet. We all know that diagnosing RA isn't quite that easy. However if we walk in and ask intelligent questions and build the relationship usually the medical professionals are much more open. I flat out tell all my doctors that I'm a researcher and I've never had a problem with them about it.

My RD knows I do a lot of research and I kind of tested him on his attitude by saying "I know a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Maybe it's better not to read too much." He said, "No, you're better off doing your homework." He has no problem with my research at all and doesn't seem to feel threatened by it.