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Four in five patients think they know their condition before consulting a doctor - are you one of them?
More than four in five patients (81%) believe they have diagnosed their condition before they turn up to their GP or pharmacist.
That's according to a new survey released by Lloydspharmacy, the UK's largest community pharmacy chain.
The internet in particular has given rise to a generation of people who routinely research their symptoms and reach a diagnosis before consulting a clinician. There are more than 380,000 websites offering health advice of some description.
But Andy Murdock, Pharmacy Director of Lloydspharmacy, warns that a little learning can be a dangerous thing.
"Of course it's good that people are taking more interest in their health and trying to understand what ails them," he said, "but people need to use the web as an additional source of information rather than as a substitute for timely advice and diagnosis by a clinician."
Misuse of the internet or other sources of health information could lead to a dangerous outcome.
Dangers of diagnosing online
"While some websites, such as NHS Direct, contain well researched and reliable information, there are many which do not. This can lead to dangerous symptoms being ignored. More frequently it can lead to elevated levels of anxiety as people become convinced they've contracted a harmful disease.
"A mother brought her new baby into one of our pharmacies recently," said Andy Murdock. "She was convinced that her son was suffering from jaundice, as his skin had taken on a distinctive yellowish tone. Upon further investigation into the baby's diet, it transpired that the mother had been feeding the six month old mashed carrots and butternut squash twice a day, every day for the past 10 days. The carotene in the vegetables had begun to colour the baby's skin!
"Another patient was seriously concerned about the possibility of having liver disease. He had been experiencing itchy and tingly feet for several days. His internet research suggested liver disease as a possible cause. After a brief conversation with the pharmacist it became clear that the patient merely had very dry skin. The problem was remedied with a course of mild heal balm applied to the area of concern twice a day.
"It's vital that people consult their physician or GP before self-diagnosing to ensure they are receiving the correct medication for their condition," concluded Murdock.
Difficulty getting appointments
"Continued difficulties in making a GP appointment may be driving some people online to make a self-diagnosis," said Murdock.
Research conducted by the Patients Association late last year suggests that 38% of people have difficulty getting an appointment within the 48 hour target.
Meanwhile the number of people turning to pharmacists for minor ailments has increased markedly. More than six in ten Lloydspharmacy pharmacies saw a significant increase in the number of consultations in the second half of 2008.
Have you ever thought you'd diagnosed your condition before visiting a doctor? Email us using the form below.
