Why do people post what seems like genuine health problems on here?!
Question: i mean we can all diagnose, but how many are real medics with the knowledge that is required? I have seen some very silly answers to people who appear to have genuine serious ailments, especially kids, and the answers are just plain silly.
ps i am not a medic, but as a parent think i have a bit of common sense.
Answers: i mean we can all diagnose, but how many are real medics with the knowledge that is required? I have seen some very silly answers to people who appear to have genuine serious ailments, especially kids, and the answers are just plain silly.
ps i am not a medic, but as a parent think i have a bit of common sense.
yes you are right I think there should be more awareness about this issue...too many people are risking their health by wasting time waiting for answers from YA!
The only good thing about medical advice on here is if you have already been diagnosed with something and then other sufferers can advise. Nobody on here can diagnose.
Because they trust the mature community on Yahoo! Answers. I do trust the community. It's always good to get a basic understanding of your symptoms before going to a professional!
There are qualified people on here obviously, (I was an Intensive Care Nurse) there are also a lot of idiots, the problem lies in sorting 'em out!
As a parent also, I agree wholeheartedly with your comments... there are some very childish answers to some very serious questions.
Although I would hope those with serious health problems would have enough common sense to see their doctor.
Sometimes it is good to get other's opinions though - just to see what it could be - while you are waiting for your doc's appointment.
I think people feel like they are asking their cyber friends for advice. It's always nice to know that you are not alone when you have an ailment. I have advised lots of teenage girls on girly problems - perhaps they feel like they can't ask their parents.
there are also doctors/nurses who give great advice also.
Many of the questions on here are 'generalised' and a lot of the time, the reply given is to seek medical help from their G.P's.
It would be totally wrong and unwise to try a medical diagnosis or give an opinion on what is the best thing to do.
Like you say, some of these questions are asked by minors, and if you're wrong in your advice, they are the ones that could face serious consequences.
Caramac x
Good question! Could be they want some input about whatever they're asking. A little research on wbmd.com may help. Or, see a doctor.
I think many of them lack health insurance, and can't afford a $100+ office visit. Or sometimes, their problem is embarrassing, and they want to ask anonymously.
When I see/answer these questions, there's usually some solid advice. Hopefully, the asker can make a wise decision on which answers ARE good ones.
If I see a question I think deserves a response I have a list of URL's I advise people to put their question's to ie: http://womenshealth.about.com/
Being a bloke I would not have experience on those matters but I will give the person the best advice I can. If I have experience with regard to the ailment I will let them know what to expect etc. I would never miss advise a person. With regard to any question no matter what category.
I can't diagnose but I am a physical therapy major in college right now. It's good for me to read these questions and try to help because someday it will be my future to help people. Some doctors may look at this page...you never know but this site can not substitute professional advice.
I can't speak for everybody, but as for me, by asking people on here about health concerns can and does help me to understand what is going on with me and my body or other loved ones bodies. Many, many people of all ages visit this website and know of or heard of the different health issues that is presented in here and they may recognize something familiar so they type their answers. In the past I was even given websites to look things up and was quite helpful to me.
Yes sometimes doctors and nurses answer questions too and may provide some helpful advice.
Not all answers are child like. I've received a lot of good support on here.
I hope this was helpful and I hope you have a nice evening.
Ive noticed this too. I have seen some awful and downright dangerous answers on here in response to medical queries.
I am a dispenser in a pharmacy, so I have a pretty good basic knowledge, Ive had to study anatomy and physiology,
medical law and ethics, drug interactions, how drugs work with different conditions, a wide variety of conditions, (dispensers dont just dish out drugs, we have to undertake a lot of training) there are a few people on here I would trust to give correct answers, purely because I can tell they actually have medical experience.
But I have seen some really awful advice on here.
I deal with medicine every day, and its easy to forget that some people simply have no idea about what is to me, very simple basic stuff. The advice these people give is often bordering on the ridiculous. I am always happy to answer medical queries if I know about the subject, but I would never guess, if I dont know, I dont answer.
It is good however, to be able to get peoples opinions on their own experiences of certain ailments, I think it can help people a lot to know if others are suffering the same illness, or side effects from drugs etc.