Why do people ask about serious health issues on yahoo?

Question

Do that many people have such blind faith in random internet goers, rather than just asking a real doctor? Is there a way to stop this lunacy?

Answer 1

I know what you mean- its kind of disconcerting that people actually trust non-credentialled internet users over their doctor- the fact is that if they ask a question here, and someone puts their mind at ease, then the asker may completely cut the doctor out of the equation- I've seen examples where people have recommended natural supplements for the treatment of prostatomegaly, when that prostate had never been investigated!

The excuse about insurance, etc doesn't hold for Australians, healthcare here is 'free' in that we have a huge public health service, and everyone has the choice of going to a doctor without having to fork over any money.

I just try to answer what I can to make sure that people get followed up by their physician, and to increase the general awareness of conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

Answer 2

i think of a few people have such pathetic lives they opt to be an authority on somethng and that they could do this right here and not using a level. They study some magazine articels and picture they comprehend everyting approximately medicine. I see people asking various questions abourt being pregnant and AIDS and the people answering basically comprehend something from thier very own experience which will or would possibly no longer practice to the persons project who did the asking. They spout off like they comprehend as much as a doctor whilst they actually dont have a clue.

Answer 3

I feel some men and women have such pathetic lives they need to be an informed on somethng and they may be able to do this here with out a degree. They read a number of magazine articels and consider they recognize everyting about medication. I see persons asking tons of questions abourt pregnancy and AIDS and the men and women answering simplest recognize whatever from thier possess experience which can or may not follow to the men and women drawback who did the asking. They spout off like they understand as a lot as a medical professional after they really dont have a clue.

Answer 4

Dear Frank,

You know its quite funny. I was wondering the same thing as I was just about to post a question similar to yours. I have read some of the answers to the health questions, and quite frankly they scare me! As an R.N. I have spent years learning my profession and even still, I DONT KNOW EVERYTHING. So it is baffling to me, to see that many, many, many, unqualified people feel it is their priveledge and/or right to give out health advice. Often times, the advice/answers are totally wrong. Even more annoying are the ones who see a Health Question and then search websites for answers using keywords, just so they can post and gain 2 points. A 5 year old can copy and paste text, but it doesn't mean that the 5 year old knows what in the hell they are talking about. Furthermore, many of the websites people are using are unreliable sources of information. In my years studying to be an R.N., I have learned to identify credible sources and not so credible sources. Often the information is taken out of context. Critical thinking and the ability to use the information as it pertains to a particular patient situation, is a skill that takes years to develop. "Random internet goers" as you call them, spew out their opinions, but they base their responses on a single typed sentence or two. In my profession, it is necessary to get all of the information including all medications, herbals, supplements, allergies, past medical history, social history, family history, ect ect. These random internet goers tell these trusting souls to take some medications or supplements without knowing what their allergies are... or not knowing if it will interact with other meds they are on. Please people, give out advice on dating or parenting. Even give advice on the best mechanic in town, or the best new restaurant. BUT PLEASE, STOP GIVING OUT HEALTH ADVICE THAT YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE. I am a nurse... this is what I do everyday for my profession. I don't pretend I know how to fix a car. I don't pretend I know how to write code to program a computer. I don't pretend that I know how to invest in the stock market. So why is everyone on the internet a doctor or a nurse?
Thank you,
Angie R.N.

Answer 5

Hopefully, people do realize who they're asking and not take what an anonymous person online says over a doctor, but maybe they're just getting opinions possibly from someone else who has gone through something similar. Maybe they're just asking before they can get to a doctor or call a doctor. Who knows why people do what they do.

Answer 6

Because there are so many millions of people, someone (or two) is bound to have the same problem, or someone in their family. Doctors don't know everything. By the way, in case you're wondering, it is MILLIONS of people on this website. In Feb.2007 they had over 43 million hits.

Answer 7

I think a lot of people want to hear from people who have actually gone through the procedures or diseases that they are experiencing, and yahooanswers is a good place for that.

Answer 8

it can be scary to go to a doctor and some people dont have insurance and dont want to go to the doctor if its really not a big deal and some people want to know what might be wrong while they're waiting for their doctor's appointment

Answer 9

Because in this country, if you have a medical issue and you need to see a Dr., you need money. Not everyone has it.