One in four use internet to self-diagnose illnesses

ONE quarter of people are using the internet to self-diagnose illnesses but they have been warned online advice is no substitute for professional medics.

This was the result of the Health Research Board’s National Psychological Wellbeing and Distress survey.

It examined the responses of more than 2,100 people about general internet usage and related health issues.

In particular, it analysed the relationship between internet use and mental health.

The survey revealed:

Working women were the most likely group to use the net for health advice.

A higher proportion of people with mental health issues relied on online advice.

Two-fifths of people have never used the internet.

Social class had a significant impact on whether people used the internet, but had little bearing on whether people accessed online health websites.

People aged younger than 39 were far more likely to use the internet than older people.

Those with a disability or a long-term sickness were noticeably more inclined to use health information sites.

The report said the reliance on the internet among those suffering from mental health issues was a particular concern.

“The findings showed that a significant number of people who seek health information online have experienced mental health problems and this raises issues concerning the potential use of the net for mental health promotion or as a mental healthcare delivery system in the future,” it said.

It also said while the internet presented obvious advantages in terms of public education the content of various sites was hard to police. The research said it was particularly worried about websites taking a pro-anorexia or pro-suicide philosophy.

“As it is virtually impossible to censor information on the internet, little can be done to prevent the creation of these sites.

Senior HRB researcher Dr Donna Tedstone Doherty said policy planners had to try to promote a healthy balance in people’s internet usage. “There is a strong potential to use the internet as a source of information for both health and mental health issues specifically.

“However, using health information from the internet for decision-making purposes without expert advice has the potential to have a negative impact on a patient’s health,” she said.