This is a difficult question as each healthcare provider is different and your relationship with each is different.

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Some studies have suggested that the effect of a patient taking health information from the internet into a consultation can be positive.

 

On the other hand, some doctors may feel that the internet information is inaccurate, incomplete, or irrelevant, and that it may interfere with their professional judgment or authority.

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If you want to bring in information from the internet to your doctor: 

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• You should be respectful and open-minded, and acknowledge that your doctor has expertise and experience that you do not have. 

• You should also be selective and critical of the sources you use, and look for credible and reliable websites that provide evidence-based information. 

• You should not use the internet information to self-diagnose or self-treat, or to challenge your doctor’s advice without a good reason. 

• You should use the internet information as a way to enhance your understanding of your health condition and to ask informed questions to your doctor.

Surveys consistently show that 60-80% of world-wide-web users have used it to obtain health information. 

 

The internet can be a useful tool, but it should not replace the doctor-patient relationship.

 

The best way to use the internet information is to share it with your doctor and discuss it together, so that you can both benefit from each other’s knowledge and perspectives.

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