M.D.s okay consulting ‘Dr. Google’

Medical experts typically discourage self-diagnosis via online search due to inaccurate and anxiety-producing results. But Harvard Medical School researchers say the opposite may be true. They described symptoms of common illnesses, ranging from viruses to heart attacks, to 5,000 participants and asked them to offer a diagnosis and course of action. Those who researched online offered a correct diagnosis 96% of the time, plus were more likely to suggest correct action steps. Study author David Levine, M.D., says the findings suggest there may be benefit to consulting Dr. Google.