Modern technology makes self-diagnosis of medical symptoms easy, right? Just open a search engine, type in some symptoms and get results.

Not so fast. While some online tools can be a good place to start investigating symptoms, they can never replace an actual diagnosis from a real doctor.

Here are a few reasons why self-diagnosis is risky, and a few tips on what to do instead.

Why do people self-diagnose?

Many people have perfectly legitimate reasons for seeking answers to their medical questions online. 

Internet search engines are cheap (or more often free) and convenient. For issues that seem like they’re bothersome more so than dangerous, a quick search can be an attractive option.

Other people may have a lack of trust in healthcare professionals that stems from a bad experience that they or a family member had. Still others may simply feel afraid of medical settings, which can lead them to avoid care or seek alternative paths to treatment.

However, while these behaviors are understandable, the fact remains that self-diagnosis is risky. This is why it’s important to establish a relationship with a doctor you trust.

We built HealthTap for this very reason — to connect people with high-quality, affordable care that they can access conveniently. Members can find a doctor they like and make them their regular primary care doctor with the click of a button. Or, if the relationship doesn’t feel quite right, they can change doctors any time.

Self-diagnosis can be dangerous

Let’s start with the biggest concern — a misdiagnosis. Something as simple as a recurring headache could be completely benign, but it could also be a sign of a bigger issue. Similarly, a combination of symptoms — some that might not even be noticeable to someone who’s not a doctor — could reveal a deeper meaning to a person’s overall health.

Another concern, related to misdiagnosis, is delayed treatment of the actual issue. If someone starts down the path of treatment (or doesn’t do anything at all) based on a false assumption of what’s causing their symptoms, it means they’ll wait longer to resolve their issue. Best case scenario, they’ll be in for a longer period of discomfort. Worst case scenario, their condition progresses into something more serious.

Did that last sentence cause a little stress? That’s one of the other issues with self-diagnosis. The internet is rife with dire warnings about what certain symptoms might mean. A real doctor can analyze symptoms through the lens of a professional and put a patient at ease.

Tip: Like we mentioned above, online searches can be a good place to start when investigating symptoms—and some are better than others. We designed Dr. Q&A as a searchable database of real, anonymous health questions, answered by real doctors. You can also ask your own anonymous question and receive an answer within 24 hours.

Lastly, when self-diagnosis leads to self-treatment, this can incur all kinds of unnecessary costs. A person can end up taking the wrong medication, ignoring something that should be addressed, or unnecessarily medicating something that’s better left alone to resolve itself.

Why your primary care doctor is the best source for an accurate diagnosis

We’ve established that an online symptom checker like Dr. Q&A can be a good place to start investigating a medical condition. But the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to consult with a doctor. A primary care doctor can:

• Examine you and offer expertise as to what might be causing your symptoms.
• Help prevent small issues from turning into big ones.
• Prescribe medicine or suggest over-the-counter medications.
• Provide peace of mind.
• Order further tests if necessary.
• Refer you to a specialist if necessary.

HealthTap doctors can do all these things during a telemedicine appointment. 

How to get the most out of a primary care appointment

Planning to meet with a doctor about worrying or persistent symptoms is the first step on the path to good health. Here are a few tips for making the most of the visit:

• Write down all symptoms to avoid forgetting them during the visit.
• Write down any questions related to those symptoms.
• Make a note of any recent changes in habits, diet, environment, etc.
• Have a list of all current medications ready.
• Test the phone or computer that will be used during the telemedicine call to make sure it’s working and ready.

HealthTap subscribers can choose to store their medical records securely on their HealthTap profile. Those records can be accessed any time by the member, their doctor, and approved family members. 

This makes the appointment process even more efficient because our doctors are able to have a full view of a patient’s history before the appointment even begins. It’s also why it pays to maintain a long-term relationship with a primary care doctor — over time, they become familiar with a patient’s health history and needs, and are able to draw connections between past issues and the patient’s current health.

Remember: Self-diagnosis is no substitute for a real doctor

Modern technology has made it easy to search symptoms online and get information that seems reliable (but might not be!) But there’s no substitute for meeting with a trusted doctor. Self-diagnosis can lead to ineffective, costly, and even dangerous results. 

Everyone should meet with a doctor when they have a health concern to make sure they’re making the best health decisions for their unique needs. 

HealthTap can help. Our doctors are available to meet online, and members can choose and keep a doctor they like. Over time, a trusting doctor-patient relationship can develop, which research has shown leads to better overall health.

Sign up for HealthTap to get started.