Why DO Patients Google Instead of Asking a Doctor?

Doctor Google is great.  When you’re in a pinch. No one is available to answer your medical question.  You just can’t wait until Monday at 9am to call the office. If you could wait, you know you’ll be put on hold and won’t get a call back for hours - if you’re lucky.  You know if you do get a call back, it will likely not be from YOUR doctor. So, why not just Google?

Google is great when you’re in a pinch and need a quick answer.  But, despite what many people think, Google is not as good as your doctor!  You’re twice as likely to get the real diagnosis when you talk to your doctor versus when you Google.  That means, many times Google will bring up things that are wrong. These things might be scary (creating more anxiety instead of calming your fears), inaccurate (causing you to start a treatment that is incorrect and may have side effects that you don’t need), or miss the real cause (leading you to falsely believe you are fine, when you have something more serious happening).  

All that being said, we get why patients don’t see the doctor.  In this world of quick technology and easy answers, it’s tempting to go the Google route.  But, what if you COULD have a doctor who is available to answer your question. What if she WAS available before Monday at 9am?  What if he COULD call you back instead of one of his colleagues? What if it DIDN’T TAKE HOURS to hear back? Would you still Google?

While the answer for some of you may still be a vote for Dr. Google, we’re certain many others would prefer the expertise of a Board Certified Physician!  To each, his/her own - BUT if you’d rather have the opinion of YOUR doctor right at the tip of your fingers, give Direct Doctors a try and find out why patients love the access and connection to their PCP!

​