When it comes to our health, is it possible to suffer from TMI – too much information?
The growing amount of health apps for smart phones and tablets, as well as the high amount of web searches about health-related issues is proof enough that we want health information at our fingertips.
But while the explosion of health care news and advice can be valuable for anyone who wants to take care of himself, it shouldn’t be the last word.
There’s still a need to separate good information from bad and avoid self-diagnosis. Online searches are no substitute for actual calls or visits with a health care practitioner.
Here’s a guideline for using online health care information to your best advantage:
• Do research to prepare for an appointment. This can help you organize questions. Leave it to the health care professional to provide the answers and help you understand what you’ve accessed on your own.
• Don’t rely exclusively on online information. Online information can be a goldmine or a minefield. Sometimes, it is misleading or incomplete, and may not apply to your situation. Be wary of making big choices about your health or about different care or treatment options based only on your Googling.
• Ask a health care professional for sources. They can recommend worthwhile websites or apps, including ones from dependable sources (like hospitals, non-profit disease associations, and government bodies) that have objective information.
• Don’t be afraid. Raising information you found online isn’t challenging anyone’s authority. In fact, it is commendable that patients and clients want to be informed h
