Hospital Literacy: How To Use Technology To Take Charge of Your Health

By: Caleb Dunn, Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

The rise of technology has altered every aspect of our lives, including the way we seek medical advice. Previously, most people with a health concern would schedule an appointment at the doctor’s office, call the advice nurse line, or email their doctor. Today, a simple Google search or AI chatbot message can provide immediate answers to stressful questions. 

Unfortunately, overreliance on the internet for diagnoses has caused more harm than good, leading to a decline in patient-provider relationships. In this article, we examine how patients can use technology to their advantage while still getting the care they need.

Drawbacks of Seeking Advice Online 

There are multiple reasons why people turn to the internet for medical advice, depending on the severity of their concern and whether they have health insurance. The internet is accessible and convenient: patients can get quick answers about possible causes of illness on their phones at any time of the day. A Google search may also be cheaper than a doctor’s visit. 

However, the issue with online advice is that it is not tailored to your specific healthcare needs and concerns. For example, let’s say someone has had an excruciating pain in their knee after jumping from a high place and landing wrong. The patient types “knee hurts after a bad landing” on the search engine of their choice. Not only are they bombarded with countless results from unreliable sources, but the information they receive is broad and does not take into account their medical history, such as previous injuries or complications involving their knee. 

In essence, the main drawbacks of seeking medical advice online are as follows:

• Inaccuracies or misleading information
• Nonspecific — may present many possible diagnoses 
• Heightened anxiety from a self-diagnosis 
• Not all “health” websites are credible, even if they appear legitimate (Examples: WebMD, Healthline, MedicineNet)

What Is Your Best Option?

The information you receive from your primary care provider is best suited for you and your specific needs, which are different from the person next to you, let alone from the thousands browsing the search engine results you found online.

Medical professionals have acquired years of education and experience in their field to give you the treatment you need. By seeking their guidance, you’ll also avoid wasting time sifting through pages of websites that may not even be credible.

Let's take a deeper look at why seeking treatment from a healthcare provider is the best option:

• Assessment by a trusted professional will reduce uncertainty and stress
• Receive accurate diagnosis from a professional who specializes in your healthcare needs 
• Get immediate answers to pertinent questions

AI and Your Health

The introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence) was a huge turning point for online platforms. Whether you’re searching something on Google or looking someone up on Instagram, the default search bar is now powered by AI. 

Unfortunately, what many don’t realize is that not all AI systems are up to date. Some are even years behind. 

When it comes to your health, trusting AI-generated diagnoses and advice can be dangerous. However, you can still leverage AI as a useful tool to compile an array of questions to ask your doctor before your appointment.

Example questions may include the following:

• What may have caused this [condition]? 
• Will it go away on its own, or will it need treatment? What are my options for treatment, if needed? 
• What are the side effects of my medication? Are they short- or long-term?
• What happens if I miss a dose of my medication?

Finding Credible Sources

Even if you are looking for general health information (such as for an article or research paper) rather than a diagnosis of a health issue, it is still important to discern whether or not a website is reliable before trusting a source. For example, where is the information coming from? Is it from a study done by medical professionals?

In general, seek information from these types of websites:

• .edu websites come from research centers at educational institutions that take the necessary steps to ensure their information is credible. 
• .gov websites are secured websites, meaning that no one can buy that domain. The information seen on .gov websites is considered to be scholarly through verification of the government. 
• .org websites are traditionally run by nonprofit organizations that provide information from scholarly sources.

Takeaway

Hospital literacy is vital to ensuring you are receiving the most effective care for your specific needs. Medical professionals with expertise in the area of your health concern can be trusted to provide credible information catered to your needs. Technology is most effective when used as a tool, not as a definitive authority. 

For more guidance on evaluating sources, refer to Digital4Good’s “Get the F.A.C.T.S” handout.