I keep seeing answers to the medical questions supposedly from doctors, nurses, EMTs and med students. Are they telling the truth, or just saying that to give themselves credence?
2006-07-11 05:45:37 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I don't believe most them. I know a lot of doctors, as well as nurses, and other medical professionals, and I don't know any who would give medical advice over the internet to someone who is not a patient. There is the issue of liability - and some of the answers I've seen could definitely fall into the category of liability being a huge concern. People are lawsuit happy, and doctors have to pay out huge amounts annually for insurance because of it. Perhaps on the more general stuff (e.g. "What is IgE?" or "What does this or that test involve?"), which does not involve any sort of diagnosis, but even then I kind of doubt a real professional would admit to being such, just because of the liability issue.
2006-07-11 05:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by Chronic Hiver 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm a medical student and I come on here not to show off or anything, but it really helps me because I answer questions on stuff that we studied months ago. I have to take a big exam that covers everything in the first two years of medical school and by answering questions on this site it is a painless way to keep up with stuff I would have otherwise forgotten. I've still got a long time until the test, and I'll do a lot more in depth studying in the months before the test. I doubt I'll answer many questions on here once I graduate.
2006-07-11 12:59:34 · answer #2 · answered by mrchinlersir 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Just because they know about a particular condition, doesn't mean they must be medically trained. I know someone who knows even more than the experts about a certain disease, and he has no medical background whatsoever. He is a patient who has had to research a lot because his condition is so rare, many doctors have not even heard of it, let alone know how to treat it. Actually, come to think of it, I know quite a few people like that, who have learned much more about a disease they have than most doctors know.
I think in many cases people are just saying they are doctors or nurses to make themselves sound believable. They seem to know what they are talking about, but without that MD or RN or other title to "prove" they know what they are talking about, so they just say they are, if that makes sense....
2006-07-15 15:45:05 · answer #3 · answered by AthaMin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What an excellent question. I hope that everyone that asks and answers questions on this forum is being honest with their expertise. But, being the internet, there really is no way to tell. It would be a nice benefit if Yahoo would have a way that a user could validate their training or degrees. Then they would have a special symbol that let the askers know that this answer truly is from a person qualified to offer advice.
2006-07-11 12:49:37 · answer #4 · answered by Chainsawmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of the people who answer probably are medically trained. Unfortunately, there are people who simply like playing games and who might be giving incorrect answers just as a joke. And, of course, there are those who are well meaning but give incorrect advice.
I hope that, instead of blindly following ANY advice given on here, that people will take the answers just as a guideline. They can use the answers to help guide them as they do further research.
2006-07-11 13:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by Mama Pastafarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I can prove my certification......Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, among the others that I have......I have no reason to lie to anyone about the advice that I recommend. I wouldn't do that. I will always recommend someone to see their personal physician, and I have no problem doing that at all. I'm sure there are other people on here that are acting like they're medically trained. Those of us who are, can readily identify them. Hope I've answered your question.....
2006-07-11 12:59:33 · answer #6 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely, One answered a question for me and I went to my doctor with the information and it helped me a lot. What he suggested was true and the medication was a real one. I have done so much better since he answered my question. So I believe they are not liars, but real.
2006-07-11 13:13:47 · answer #7 · answered by Memere RN/BA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, i love it when "medical doctors" spell lYkE tHis, u nO?
Hard to say who is legit and who isn't.
Personally, i'm honest in my answers and often, my best credibility is being a mom more than being a health professional. And no, i'm not a doctor.
2006-07-11 12:52:36 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't trust anyone on here who says they are a medical professional if they are answering your question without encouraging you to see your own doctor first. giving advice is one thing giving your own solution without knowing the person is another...
2006-07-11 12:49:41 · answer #9 · answered by hell_in_a_handbasket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure there are some telling the truth and some who aren't. The problem is, you don't know which is which most of the time.
2006-07-11 12:49:04 · answer #10 · answered by Okkieneko 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋