Do You Agree?

Question

I have been answering questions on Yahoo Answers for awhile. I have noticed a lot lately that there are many users that are giving health answers that really don't know what they are talking about. Example: Telling people they have cancer, Calling people names because they have pregnancy questions, I really feel this is uncalled for. I also don't like how people use the resource I am an RN yet they have given a completely wrong answer.
Does anyone agree with me that this is wrong and uncalled for. Express your opinion in your answer that is fine. thanks.

Please do not answer the question if you are going to leave rude answers. Points are just for fun on this. So don't be point hungry and answer this question. There is no reason for the points. It isn't liek you are going to win something......Please real answers only..


Oh ya!!!! RN means Registered Nurse.

I understand that people shouldn't ask for a diagnoise on Yahoo Answers, However people can ask where to find information, or if any one else is going though same thing and those people don't deserve rude, uncalled for harressment from anyone.

Answer 1

Yes

Apart from the problems you have mentioned I have also seen serious questions reported and removed because of "obscenity."

This forum is open and unstructured and it's questioner beware of the answers. The only thing that can be done is to report the answerer under insulting behavior or the last option harm.

There is a disclaimer on the whole of Yahoo Answers - Maybe your best bet is to see if Yahoo can put a stronger disclaimer on the medical and health categories. Something like.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment.

Answer 2

I think that if someone has no idea what the health problem could be they shouldn't just start saying things because it sounded good. If someone is answering a health question I would expect them to know something about the situation if it sounds like something they have been through or have read about it in a book or know the answer because they are a nurse or doctor. What they should say when they answer the question is "In my experience, or what I've read" Or they should simply list in the sources that they are a nurse or doctor. That way the person asking the question knows that they are trying to help and their best ability and not trying to lie to them. Did any of that make sense? lol Have a wonderful evening.

Answer 3

I'm not a medical practitioner but as a layman and a mother with a lot of experience i feel qualified to answer some of the questions posed - if the person wanted a professional answer they would be able to easily look it up in google under all the medical references - I think the person posting the question just wants to hear real life experiences as oppose to text book answers - if the question is serious usually most people advise to see a doctor
Just because you have a degree doesn't necessarily make you an expert. Many times I have diagnosed my children's illnesses better than their physician

Answer 4

I completely agree....but I also think that people who ask these questions are resorting to the wrong place to get answers...any serious medical question needs attention...and if someone is going to believe an answer they got off yahoo answers then they are as stupid as the person answering....sorry....dont mean to be rude in anyway, but Ive seen people ask some serious medical questions about there kids and even there own health that should not be dealt with in a forum full of immature children.

Answer 5

In this forum,no one is claiming to give professional advice they are offering an opinion. People don't always want to hear what the insurance company forces medical people to say. If I try to answer a medical question some were in there I say go see a doctor. Isn't nice to tell someone about a herbal remedy or just a good prayer without worrying about policy. It also let people more freely express their emotion state, you may be able to save someone life in this relaxed forum. That may have never spoken to you other wise.

Answer 6

It is an interactive forum that is essentially unregulated for the most part. You have many types of participants, ranging from those that really want to help out where they can to those just passing the time taking pot shots at people and really have little to contribute. It's really up to people to be careful with what they ask and take what they get with a grain of salt and a dash of humour. In many cases you just can't take some people seriously, both in questions and answers. You may get a pearl sometimes or you may make a difference in others too...so I think for those situations, it's worth dropping in once in a while... : )

Answer 7

I think that the only time you should even attempt to answer a question in the Health category, you should be a Dr., PA or a Nurse OR you should personally have had the same ailment and are speaking ONLY from your experience and not trying to diagnose someone.

Ultimately, the person who asked the question and blindly accepts an answer about health issues, that is the fool.

Answer 8

Personally, I think if someone has a bad enough problem, then they need to go to the Dr and have it checked out instead of asking thousands of complete strangers who have no medical experience. If I were sick, I certainly would not post a question on here and take the advice of people. Maybe they are wondering if anyone had similar experiences with the same problems. Don't judge people because most of them are trying to help. I think that if you are not happy with what people are doing on here, then you need to find a new place to play.

Answer 9

I partially agree with you. There are some questions asked in this forum that in reality should be asked only of family doctors. While many are only seeking a little support, there are others who are just begging to be rebuked by an all-too-eager public. For example: the 13 year old who asks if it is normal to be "showing" at 13 weeks. No, it's not normal to be showing, it's not even normal to be pregnant at 13.

Answer 10

Yes, I agree....however, I'm hoping that people that post a question on here has the sense enough to realize what they may be inviting. In other words, they should read the answers and only take them seriously if they know enough about the subject to use their advice. I know 'I' sure don't take all the advice I've seen around here...