Making medical decisions that may include delaying going to the emergency room, taking medications and supplements, and changing treatment dosages based on electronic information.
Doctors have warned of the phenomenon and the risks it poses, pointing out that the problem does not lie in using the internet or artificial intelligence to obtain health advice.
Rather, it begins when these tools become a substitute for the doctor and clinical examination, especially since a single symptom may be linked to dozens of causes, from simple cases to life-threatening diseases.
They stressed that the dividing line in dealing with the “digital patient” is not between using technology or rejecting it, but rather between using it to better understand health and giving it the power to make the diagnosis and treatment decisions. Digital information may help the patient ask the right question, but the medical answer remains linked to the medical history, clinical examination, tests, and the doctor’s experience.
Doctors also stressed that some symptoms cannot wait or continue searching for an online explanation for them, warning against wasting time searching online when symptoms appear that require urgent care.
The most prominent of these are severe or sudden pain or pressure in the chest, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain extending to the arm, neck, jaw, or back.
studies
Recent studies have indicated that the concept of the “digital patient” has become part of the transformations taking place in the healthcare sector, as demonstrated in a recent study conducted by researchers from a university in the region.
The survey included 1,377 individuals, and the results showed that 43.9% of participants preferred online self-diagnosis to consulting specialists.
Ease of access and low cost were the main reasons why 54.6% of participants preferred electronic diagnosis, while 33.7% cited saving time, and 34.1% cited feeling confident and comfortable.
The results also showed that 17.9% were willing to use over-the-counter medications after electronic diagnosis, 26.8% to use herbal remedies, while 54.7% preferred to get confirmation from a health professional before starting treatment.
Chat
In another indicator, a recent report published by a health policy organization revealed an increasing trend of individuals turning to AI-powered chatbots for advice related to physical and mental health.
While many of them do not follow up these consultations by seeing a doctor or specialist, the survey, which included 1,343 adults, showed that about a third of the participants used artificial intelligence tools to get health advice.
While 42% of them did not consult a doctor after seeking advice about physical problems, the percentage rose to 58% among those who used it to obtain support or advice related to mental health.
The report also showed that the 18-29 age group is the most reliant on these tools and the least likely to seek consultation with doctors or specialists, as young people use artificial intelligence in mental health-related matters at a rate up to three times that of adults over the age of fifty.
accuracy
These studies raise a question about the extent to which the diagnoses or interpretations of symptoms obtained by the "digital patient" can be relied upon, which doctors see as a dividing line between using technology to obtain knowledge and making a medical decision based on it.
Dr. Lalu Chakko, medical director of the Medcare Group of Hospitals and Medical Centers, said that patients turning to the internet, search engines, and artificial intelligence tools before visiting a doctor has become increasingly common.
He noted that patients frequently seek information about headaches, fatigue, dizziness, stomach or abdominal disorders, skin changes, sleep problems, and unexplained weight changes, in addition to diabetes, thyroid disorders, infections, and vitamin deficiencies.
He explained that research can be a useful first step towards understanding the health condition, but the symptom itself may have multiple causes, stressing the need to distinguish between searching for information about a symptom and self-diagnosing the condition.
He pointed out that the doctor possesses a clinical picture that research tools cannot have, including the patient's medical history, the medications he is taking, the family's medical history, the clinical examination, and the results of tests when needed.
He gave the example of feeling tired, which may be related to lack of sleep or stress, but it may also be related to anemia, thyroid disorders, a deficiency of certain nutrients, infection, or other health conditions.
He warned of two contradictory outcomes of online research: the first being to cause unnecessary anxiety when a patient develops serious illnesses that are low in likelihood, and the second being to create a false sense of security that may lead him to ignore a symptom that requires medical attention.
Emergency
The risks of self-diagnosis are not limited to anxiety or misinterpretation of symptoms, as they may extend to delaying seeking care in cases that require urgent intervention.
Dr. Hisham Tayel, a consultant cardiologist and interventional cardiologist, said that the widespread use of smartphones, health websites, and AI-powered chat programs has made it possible to obtain medical information within seconds.
The most frequently sought-after symptoms by patients include chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
He warned that the greatest danger lies in "oversimplification," explaining that chest pain, for example, may result from muscle strain, acid reflux, or anxiety, but it may also be related to pneumonia or a heart attack.
He revealed that in clinical practice he encountered patients who delayed seeking medical care because they believed their symptoms were caused by stress, indigestion, or fatigue after reviewing online sources.
He pointed out that some cardiovascular patients who were suffering from chest pain postponed going to the emergency department after they felt reassured by information they found electronically.
He warned that delaying the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease could lead to irreversible damage to the heart muscle, heart failure, or dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, and in some cases, even death.
He also noted that he had encountered patients who began taking dietary supplements or over-the-counter medications based on recommendations they received online, without understanding the potential side effects or drug interactions. Furthermore, the repetitive search for symptoms can lead to increased health anxiety rather than reassurance for the patient.
Dr. Lina Menon, a family medicine consultant at NMC Specialty Hospital – Abu Dhabi, said that digital self-diagnosis is particularly prevalent among young people and those accustomed to using digital technologies.
She explained that the problem begins when information gathering turns into self-diagnosis, and the patient becomes convinced they have a specific illness without undergoing a proper clinical evaluation. She warned against "digital health anxiety" or "cyberchondria."
Frequent symptom searching can increase anxiety about health, as a person may start with a common symptom and then the search results lead them to serious illnesses.
She said: The opposite, and perhaps more serious, danger is the false sense of security, when the patient finds an explanation that seems consistent with his symptoms and decides based on it that a visit to the doctor is unnecessary.
She added that artificial intelligence tools can provide an answer that seems very convincing, although it may be incomplete or incorrect, and they cannot examine the patient, assess their appearance and general condition, measure their vital signs, palpate the abdomen, or listen to the chest.
She noted that she met patients who arrived at the clinic already having formed a diagnosis for their condition, such as believing they had pneumonia, vitamin deficiency, sinusitis, or cancer. She also met patients who started taking medications, stopped taking them, or changed their dosages based on information they obtained online.
She specifically warned against the inappropriate use of antibiotics, as a patient may believe that a cough, sore throat, or fever is necessarily caused by a bacterial infection, and therefore take antibiotics unnecessarily, which may cause side effects and contribute to the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Understanding the situation
In contrast to warnings against relying on technology for diagnosis, doctors believe that using it correctly can make the patient more prepared and understanding of their health condition.
Dr. Brian Mtimerroa, Consultant Endocrinologist and Internal Medicine Specialist at Medcare Royal Hospital, explained that the belief that patients cannot use research tools and information to guide their decisions is a misconception, noting that patients have been accustomed for years to receiving written health bulletins.
Information is now more readily available and more personalized. He explained that what patients need is to know how to direct their inquiries to AI tools, so they can request patient-focused information to help them prepare for a clinical discussion with their doctor.
He pointed out that his patients sometimes come to the consultation with useful information they had obtained beforehand, which makes the dialogue and consultation more relevant to their condition.
He stressed that artificial intelligence is not intended to replace the healthcare system, but rather to be a part of it, helping the patient improve the care they receive and supporting the healthcare provider in making accurate and timely decisions according to each case.
He described the optimal use of this technology as “enhanced intelligence,” not artificial intelligence that replaces humans, as its value lies in supporting the relationship between the patient and the doctor.
Doctors agreed that responsible use of the internet and artificial intelligence can help the "digital patient" understand medical terminology, organize information about their symptoms, prepare questions before a consultation, and learn more about their condition after diagnosis. However, these tools should remain a source of information and not a diagnostic tool.
Cyberchondria: Health anxiety exacerbated by frequent online searches for disease symptoms
Patients change their treatment plan based on electronic information.
Ease of use and low cost are among the most important reasons for the spread of the phenomenon.
The doctor possesses a clinical picture that "smart" search tools cannot.
Frequent searches for headaches, fatigue, stomach or abdominal disorders, skin changes, and sleep problems
Read more at:
