Don’t Use Google Doctor
In old age every new ache and pain is potentially a sign of a health crisis. I get paranoid and obsessive about them.
I am slow to call my doctor because I’m afraid of what he might find.
It makes me think about friends who have died, or are chronically ill. I’m afraid I am one bad blood test away from joining them.
Anxiously, I resort to a Google search for my symptoms. I scroll through dozens of screens of symptoms, diagnoses and treatments. Many of them are ominous. I always think the worst.
This is not the first time the Google Doctor has rattled me. My providers have repeatedly advised me against using it.
I wasn’t ready for bad news. Delaying and not knowing comes with risks. Hindsight had been the default of too many of my friends. In a few days, anxiety tipped the scale towards taking action.
I shared my searches, concerns and symptoms with my wife. Her worries were added to the mix.
Finally, completely stressed out, I called my doctor. My appointment was in a week.
In the ensuing days, I followed the Google
Doctor further down the rabbit hole. Darker scenarios bounced around in my head.
I knew the drill. There would be blood tests and a nervous wait for the results.
I was afraid. I called upon some Stoic affirmations. I hoped, at least, that I had the benefit of early detection.
The day arrived. I had a usual appointment. Blood tests were ordered, as expected.
Later in the evening, online charting alerted me via email that my test results were in. They were ready for viewing. They had not been seen by my doctor yet. I had to decide what to do.
I was torn between suspense and fear. I knew I wouldn’t hear from my doctor right away.
I hovered over the open key until suspense won out.
There was way too much information. I wish I had waited. It was overwhelming. I was as confused as I was with the Google Doctor.
The results came in on graphic color-coded scales. Test ranges were a waived assortment of lows, mids and highs. There seemed to be cause for alarm.
Unexpectedly, a few hours later my doctor’s notes came in.
They calmed my fears about the test results. I didn’t have cancer and that’s what worried me the most.
He recommended some OTC meds and scheduled a follow up appointment in three weeks.
I was relieved. In the future I will handle things differently.
I will refrain from using Google Search as a diagnostic instrument. It is an impediment. It causes unnecessary delays and alarm. The increase in anxiety can exacerbate symptoms.
I’ll spread the word. Google is not a medical pre-screener. It is not a substitute for medical care. Its results are not actionable or verified. It can lead to more harm than good.
My advice is that everyone should use the real Google Docs; it’s the Google Online Document Editor.
Be patient with the elderly. They have a lot on their minds. Many think they have one foot in the grave.
