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A member asked:
Isn't answering a medical question without ever seeing the patient unethical? isn't google a better option, next to seeing a doctor in person?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Ethics : Providing helpful medical information is not the same thing as answering a medical question. Responding to medical questions is similar to "normative ethics". Providing affirmative answers on the other hand is similar to "applied ethics". In my opinion, this arena is normative and should not to be construed as applied. Google is similar to meta-ethics; its true value can't be known.
Answered 7/1/2013
5k views
It's fine: Answering a general medical question is giving reliable, current, relevant information to an interested person. We are not practicing medicine online without seeing the patient, which would be inappropriate. We give information and general recommendations based on the accumulation of experience in our practices. Much better than random online searches. And yes, a personal physician visit is best.
Answered 3/27/2014
4.3k views
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