| Publication: | Herald Sun |
|---|---|
| Date: | 19 November 2009 |
| Section: | National |
Georgie Pilcher
Article excerpt:
SICK Australians are dodging the doctor and heading straight to the internet to self-diagnose their woes.
More than 75 per cent of Australians use the internet to self-diagnose, with Gen Y and women the busiest web medicos. Research reveals increasing numbers of young people are using the internet to find out what is wrong because they are embarrassed to share intimate details with a doctor.
A national online survey by health insurer HCF found 62 per cent of women and 52 per cent of men went online as soon as an unfamiliar health issue arose. More than half of those aged 18-34 said they were too embarrassed to talk to a GP. Twenty two per cent of 55 to 64-year-olds said they, too, were scared to see the doctor, so went online.
Despite the trend, 65 per cent of people said they didn't trust the online advice so went to the doctor anyway.
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