Does anyone else hate the rude "just go to the doctor" responses?

Question

I do not see why people have to jump and say "just go to the doctor" and b*tch at people for asking a question health related on here. Do they not realize that before the internet, when people had an ailment they would get opinions from neighbors and other people etc. before going to the doctor? And do they not realize that most people need to be absolutely SURE before they go to the doctor, since health care is ridiculously expensive!

Seriously, even when I had health insurance I avoided going to the doctor as much as possible because I have had family members misdiagnosed so often, luckily they always went for second and third opinions before going under the knife, but it has send them to the poor house.

Anyway, people as health questions to get opinions before wasting their time and money! Plus, a lot of the oldest people always tackled their ailments at home or with a witch doctor.

Agree/disagree?

Yeah, but when most people ask health questions, they are not asking for the exact answer, they are just asking for different possibilities to toss around in their mind. They would be the stupid ones if they took someone's response as 'matter of fact.' And it's nice for them to find someone with the exact same issue to get support from when they finally do go to the doctor.

If someone is afraid they asker will take it as diagnoses and get misdiagnosed, then why bother answering.

Besides - isn't that what a 'heath' section is for.

But then again, a lot of people rush their kid to the doctor if it just sneezes or has a 99 degree temperature. Personally, I wait and see what I can do at home first.

Answer 1

Agree. I believe that people should be treated with courtesy. There is no reason to be rude. Sometimes I do get angry with the people that misuse this site by playing games and fooling around. Take care.

Answer 2

One of the problems with this is that the information people give is insufficient to figure out what is going on. I am a medical student and charting on the last patient I saw took five pages of writing just for the intial exam. How do you expect people who don't know anything online to know anything with just one paragraph? They tell you to go to the doctor because then the doctor can take a thorough history and physical exam as well as whatever tests are necessary.
Also, I have seen several questions where the condition described required immediate emergency treatment, yet people were on here asking questions. So yes, sometimes the best advice you can give is go to the doctor.

Besides, the reason I come on here as much as I do is because of all the bad advice I see people give.

Answer 3

I agree with you to a point, esp. about the insurance and also with the time you have to wait at a doctor's office. It's so inconvenient most of the time. But, some people are just looking for opinions. A lot of questions aren't likely questions that the public would know, though and they need a doctor's advice...same with legal questions. There are some things that only someone who is in that field should be answering.

Answer 4

Witch doctor? Funny. I just told someone "To go to the doctor". I completely agree with what your saying, atleast for the most part anyway. You need to understand that there are some situations in which people should see a doctor. Your body isn't something to mess around with if you don't know what your doing. And alot of people don't or won't take the time to research the proper treatments much less carry them out. They can be time consuming and alot of effort. So for those of you who are not looking for "Go to the doctor" answers, post your questions under Alternative Medicine please. :)

Answer 5

Agree.

I get doctor-worthy stuff all the time, but I'm so tired of seeing the doctor twice a week (seriously, THAT often, I break a bone about 10 times a year) I just diagnose myself and give myself some motrin. Besides, what is a doctor going to do that's so different? Not much. That's why I'm so tired of it, they just tell you stuff you already know. I have way too many perscriptions anyway... and I'm 13.

Answer 6

I understand your point, but there are some real problems:
- The symptoms may be sufficiently non-specific that only a doctor doing an examination, with recourse to laboratory studies if necessary, can determine what is going on.
- Even if the symptoms are specific, a proper course of treatment may require the intervention of a doctor. One current question has to do with excessive pulse rate; if this is what I suspect it is, it is fixable by fairly uncomplicated surgery, but a doctor has to do it.

Answer 7

Egotito: I see it in two ways. There is addressing the Internet for information, specifically medical information in this case, in a "less than urgent manner", and there is addressing the Internet with urgent, apparently life-threatening situations and complaints. I can only guess that it is "general ignorance" that would motivate some users to use Answers as a FIRST resource with complaints that are clearly life-threatening. Sometimes, in those cases, some informed readers are obligated to tell them GO TO AN MD..CALL 911. I know not everybody is "hip to medical emergencies", but some common sense must prevail. Would anybody text Yahoo Answers ..FIRST...and say "My house is on fire, any advice out there?"...everybody knows that fire will kill ya...then why text Yahoo and say "My wife stopped talking after she fainted when she was having chest pain...(a fictitious example, but exemplary just the same.) A simple, knee jerk "Go to the MD", without any substance or reason is indeed aggravating, but I think you understand why some responders must say what they say.

Answer 8

Most of the health questions Ive answered go along the lines of something like this: Earlier this morning my husband grabbed his chest, and then his left arm before collapsing in a heap on the kitchen floor, should I take him to the doctor or just assume he is power napping? The biggest problem seems to be a lack of common sense. Would you go to your next door neighbor, the mechanic, and ask for sound advice on retirement planning? In other words, if you want the straight answer, talk to the guy who spent 10 years in school specifically to answer those questions.

Answer 9

as for people saying "just go to the doctor", I say I hate hearing that too, and heres why: I absolutely hate going to the doctor, and secondly I think I hate doctors too, these are the most overrated, insurance involved, arragant, scam artists on the planet, who could care less about helping people, or saving lives, they are concerned about making money, and living the good life, not caring about anyone but themselves, yet, they get so much respect from the public like they are some kind of heroes or something, I know I kind of got off the subject, forgive me, also I will take this time to defend myself against people who would say, "you sure do hate them till you need them", ........your probably right, I mean, I dont want to die, so I guess I'll just shup up and get in line to see the doctor, sorry for rambling, and also I dont think I even answered your question, did I?, thank you.

Answer 10

both. i dont like just a repsonse that says "go to the doctor" and nothing else. In my repsones, i usually post what i think and then say go to the doctor if you are that concerned. I can understand why people ask medical questions. sometimes your ailment isnt worth going to the doctor and somebody just wants a little imput and advice. i am sure the person asking the medical question knows that going to the doctor is an option.