Although some people say that health-related websites are beneficial because they help consumers research medical conditions, many physicians caution that such sites pose patient safety risks because they could provide misleading diagnostic information, the Ventura County Star reports.
The websites -- which include FreeMD, iTriage, UpToDate, WebMD and YourDiagnosis -- often allow consumers to look up symptoms and self-diagnose their conditions.
Supporters of Consumer Health Sites
Proponents of the consumer health sites say they offer information that can supplement a physician's diagnosis by providing additional information about specific conditions.
According to Maribeth Shannon of the California HealthCare Foundation, consumers also can use the websites as a starting point for discussions with physicians about treatment options. CHCF publishes iHealthBeat.
Critics of Consumer Health Sites
However, many physicians and other critics say that consumer health sites could contribute to hypochondria and prompt patients to make misinformed decisions about their medical care.
Critics also caution that the websites might lead patients to bypass a primary care visit and go straight to a specialist.
Many physicians say they would support websites that focus on providing information about conditions more than on sites that focus on self-diagnosis (Kisken, Ventura County Star, 2/20).