Patients use internet to challenge doctors

One fifth of patients are challenging their doctors' advice or diagnosis using knowledge gained from the internet, a survey suggests.

The survey, conducted for the Southern Cross Medical Care Society, showed 73 per cent used the internet for health information and one in five take the information with them when they see their GP.

Twenty two per cent used information from the internet to challenge their doctor despite one per cent of respondents saying they trusted the information on the web.

Southern Cross chief executive, Dr Ian McPherson, a former GP, said he had mixed feelings on these statistics.

"On one hand it's concerning that people making their own diagnosis could be getting it very wrong.

"On the other hand it's a positive sign that people are increasingly proactive about their health and are prepared to look for information which helps them have a constructive and more informed discussion with their GP.

"They are more likely to go to the doctor better prepared with questions."

Dr McPherson said there was no harm in challenging a medical opinion, but he cautioned people not to put too much faith in the internet to self-diagnose.

"There are a number of reputable and authoritative sites on health information but there is also a lot of pseudoscience out there.

"Many illnesses can have similar symptoms and the internet can't replace your doctor when it comes to making a fully informed individual diagnosis."

The survey, by TNS Conversa, involved 1505 Southern Cross members.

- NZPA