Interesting responses to BMJ article

I have been following the responses to the BMJ article "Googling for a diagnosis--use of Google as a diagnostic aid: internet based study", there is still a lot of debate on this topic. Here are some interesting comments posted on the BMJ website by readers from all over the world :

While some clinicians were shocked by the publication and dismissed the findings of this paper, a few dermatologists found the Internet an indispensable clinical aid.

A resident found PubMedding yielded better search results than Googling

A SpR said the Internet empowers rural doctors as well as the public, but users will need to have a sound search strategy and focus on the accredited sources.

An IT professional with GP background said using Google does not reduce the value of his training, integrating the Internet into the daily work of physicians will enhance their diagnostic and therapeutic abilities.

A medical student/research assistant wrote that the Internet is a dangerous tool, it is important to teach and inform practicing physicians as well as medical students of the medical databases and the negative impact of Google and other search engines.

An Internet consultant who teaches doctors on using the Internet found many doctors cannot tell the differences between good sources and poor ones, when to use commercial medical databases or when to rely on general search engines. He urged medical professionals who require accurate and reliable data to consult a suitably qualified information professional.

The study "Googling for a diagnosis" has its limitations and weaknesses, but it demonstrates the current trend that increasing doctors use Google as a search tool for web-based clinical information. It also shows that there is a wealth of useful medical information available on the Internet. Google is the search engine of choice for many people because of its convenience and ease of use, it may not replace doctors, but it does have an impact on the daily lives of busy clinicians, on patients and their relationships with doctors.