Self-diagnosis can be risky and expensive
MARQUETTE -- If you head to the Internet first for answers when experiencing health problems, you aren't alone.
According to a study by the Pew Internet project, eight in ten people use the Internet to look for health information. But this habit can have unexpected health and financial consequences.
Fatigue, abdominal pain, and night sweats are common symptoms patients investigate on Internet health sites, like www.WebMD.com. One thing they won't find on-line: an accurate diagnosis of what's really causing their ailment.
"Those symptoms are very common and usually not the result of a bad problem that's going on," says Chris Dehlin, Marquette General MD. "But sometimes, it can be associated with a more severe diagnosis."
Prescription drug advertisements are also playing a role in patients' treatment decisions. A study done by Consumer Reports shows one in five people go into a doctor's office asking for a prescription by name before being diagnosed.
"A woman asked for the osteoporosis medicine that's marketed by Sally Fields, where we tend to use a lot more generic medicines," Dehlin says.
That's the problem: publicized brand name drugs aren't always the doctor's first recommendation or financially reasonable. They also can create problems with insurance companies.
"Insurance might say we're not going to allow that till you've tried one or two other options that are either generic or on the preferred formula list," Dehlin says.
"Brand name medications are obviously quite a bit more expensive; often times our generic medication is basically the same exact drug class," says Tyler Jenema, pharmacist of Peninsula Pharmacy.
We don't always get the full story on TV. After a 1997 change in the law, the Federal Drug Administration allowed commercials that simply refer patients to a phone number or website for side-effect information.
"Now they're able to talk more about potential benefits," Dehlin says. "They can really downplay the side effects."
To encourage positive patient research, Marquette General has an information center open to the public located in the lobby of MGH's south tower.
They'll also be introducing online access to detailed patient medical records late this summer.
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