83% of Brits use web to self diagnose

A staggering 83% of people in the UK are surfing the web to find information about their health problems before going to see their GP, new research from specialist health insurer National Friendly has revealed.

With increasingly busy lifestyles it seems inquisitive Brits are looking for a quicker route to find out more about their symptoms. Almost one in three people questioned (30%) stated that they always look up their symptoms on the internet before going to see their GP, while over half (53%) admitted that they too have browsed the web in attempt to self diagnose when feeling under the weather.

The survey found that the availability of GP appointments is a key determinant of why many people look online before visiting their local surgery, with more than a fifth (21%) stating the main reason for self diagnosis is because they can never get an appointment at the doctors. Instant access to medical information is also in demand across the country; a substantial 35% revealed that they feel the internet is a quicker and more informative way to establish what is wrong.

We are not just looking for answers online; it appears that people are seeking their friends’ advice before popping down to their local surgery, with 28% of those surveyed revealing that they prefer to listen to a diagnosis from a friend or colleague rather than going to see their GP.

Commenting on the research, National Friendly’s chief executive Richard Sear said: “It is worrying that so many people are diagnosing their health problems based on information they have read on the internet or heard from a friend and this is something we would not recommend. We would advise people to seek the opinion of a medical expert and here at National Friendly we encourage our members to always speak to their GP.”

The research was undertaken by National Friendly to find out about people’s attitudes towards the NHS and GPs, to find out how people are using the service, and what people would like to see from the health service.

For further information on National Friendly, log onto: nationalfriendly.co.uk