Prevalence of Internet-based Self-medical Diagnosis among Indian Nonmedical Undergraduate Students: An Observational Cross-sectional Survey
Introduction: Self-medical diagnosis using the Internet has become a common practice. Increasing use of technology and readily available health-related information on the Internet is a major reason for this practice. Self-medical diagnosis can have some advantages as well as disadvantages. Aim: To s...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of International Clinical Dental Research Organization |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jicdro.jicdro_29_24 |
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| Summary: | Introduction:
Self-medical diagnosis using the Internet has become a common practice. Increasing use of technology and readily available health-related information on the Internet is a major reason for this practice. Self-medical diagnosis can have some advantages as well as disadvantages.
Aim:
To study the status, prevalence, and need of Internet usage for self-medical diagnosis among nonmedical undergraduate students and if gender, residency, and year of the study affect it.
Methodology:
After ethical clearance, an e-form with 12 closed-ended questions designed on Google Forms was randomly circulated to nonmedical Indian undergraduate students. The 986 responses gained over 3 months were tabulated and statistically analyzed using the SPSS statistical software 23.0 Version and Chi-square test.
Results:
The study revealed that convenience, accessibility, and a desire for immediate answers were key factors driving individuals to engage in Internet-based self-medical diagnosis. There was no statistically significant difference in gender, type of residency, and year of the study to any of the questions regarding the role of Internet in self-medical diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Participants acknowledged the presence of misinformation, conflicting advice, and difficulty in accurately interpreting medical information online. The risk of misdiagnosis, heightened anxiety, and inappropriate self-treatment emerged as noteworthy concerns, emphasizing the need for cautious engagement and the importance of seeking professional medical guidance to enable a more balanced approach. |
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| ISSN: | 2231-0754 2231-5357 |