Internet self-diagnosis puts 1 in 6 at risk

Nearly one in six people in England have used the internet to self-diagnose an illness instead of consulting their GP, revealed a Department of Health poll released this week. Yet without the guidance of a qualified doctor or nurse, many are diagnosing themselves incorrectly.

Nearly a third of people who have self-diagnosed using the internet did so because they felt they didn't have the time to see a doctor. However, with the opening of new GP health centres this year and longer opening hours across surgeries, it is now easier than ever to see a GP.

Dr Mike Warburton, National Director for GP Access at the Department of Health said: "While it may feel like a quick-fix solution, using the internet to guess your medical problems does not compare to seeing a medical professional with years of training and experience. New GP health centres and longer opening hours in GP surgeries mean it has never been easier to get medical advice, so no matter how busy you are, your health can still come first."

The poll also showed that four in ten people didn't think their illness was important enough to see their GP, and one in ten were too embarrassed to do so. Self-diagnosis is most common among 18 - 24 year olds, with a quarter turning to the internet to solve their medical problems. They're also the age group most likely to get it wrong, with one in ten admitting that they've misdiagnosed themselves. Equally worrying is the fact that 13% of people have also gone online to decide which medicine they should be taking.

As an example of the potential risks of misdiagnosis, an online search reveals no less than 25 possible causes for having to go to the toilet frequently during the night. They range from entirely benign conditions to prostate cancer - and only a healthcare professional is qualified to determine exactly which one a person is suffering from.

For many, finding the time to visit the doctor in a busy working week can be difficult. That 's why 150 new GP health centres are opening, most this year, and GP surgeries are also becoming more flexible with many now offering early morning, evening and weekend appointments.

The new GP health centres will enable anyone to see a GP or nurse between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week, meaning that patients with hectic lifestyles will be able to get proper medical attention and diagnosis when they need it. The centres will create an extra 2.5 million appointments a year and many will also provide extra services offering advice on topics such as losing weight, quitting smoking or chiropody.

For more information visit nhs.uk.