There have always been many hoaxes about diseases and treatments.In the Neolithic, migraines tried to eliminate by trembling the brain.Our grandparents tried to cure the incurable with concoctions based on wild flowers.For centuries, the creators of potions were also famous miraculous.Without going any further, Coca-Cola owes its original formula to a pharmacist, John S.Pemberton, who wanted to create a syrup against digestion problems. Related
The field of health is, therefore, a minefield where, according to one step, you can take the best diagnosis or, on the contrary, a totally delusional one.Or, already put, a refreshing Coca-Cola.When we believe in cures for our ills, we are capable of everything.This is the case, for example, of the bulo that began to run on the oil used to fry McDonald's potatoes, which, according to some, was ideal for treating baldness."It is an example of how it is extrapolated that some food additive may have some type of indication for the treatment of a disease," recalls Frederic Llorachs, one of the founders of the Doctoralia medical consultation portal.
Other bulls that circulate there tell us about the extraordinary power of the so-called "superfoods", such as quinoa or kale, which are used because they have a high energy load or certain nutrients.However, deep down, they don't they have better properties than common foods such as rice, legumes or potatoes.
Today, whether on the internet or in the media, there are foods or substances that become fashionable and that end up being the panacea to cure any ailment.But it is convenient to walk with an eye so as not to fall into delirium, such as those who have linked the intake of juices with the prevention of cancer, or those who have said that vaccines cause autism.Frederich Llorachs blames these misunderstandings for the excess of information on the internet about health issues, and especially that "badly categorized." In this sense, he believes that information should always be backed by a healthcare professional who is clearly identified as a source.
Wall between doctors and patients
Overinformation encourages and increases hypochondria, anguish and conspiracy theories in Internet users, as well as the absence of data.As a consequence, lack of common sense and resorting to unreliable pages and testimonies end up building a wall of distrust between doctors and patients."The doctor-patient relationship should be based on trust, but the internet does not always contribute to it, but often the opposite happens," Llorachs points out.
Precisely, according to the study 'The doctor 3.0', of Doctoralia, the superinformation that patients have today is beginning to seriously hinder the work of health specialists in Spain.The so-called 'doctor Google effect' can lead to patients to give as certain all the information they find on the network, with the potential risk to their health that this entails.
The Doctoralia report highlights that more than half of the health specialists in this country (specifically 51.7%) are aware of the problem of medical overinformation and the dangers that this entails for the health of Internet users.In addition, many of those who have participated in the report recognize that, now that the patient has so much information, the figure of the doctor is questioned and it is more complicated for them that their recommendations be taken seriously.
The study also covers specialists from Brazil, Mexico and Poland, where patients are especially active in the use of digital health tools.In the case of Mexico, 45% of specialists believe that this information does not It helps them to treat their patients.In addition, three out of four doctors in Spain call attention to the fact that the information found through Google is not reviewed by specialists.They also complain that the information does not It is in many cases neither updated nor based on the latest scientific advances.
The key is to go to a trusted source
To know the most reliable way possible about a medical condition on the internet, according to Frederic Llorachs, the key is to consult a source of trust, be it a medical association or a collegiate professional.Also, then it is convenient to always check this information with a professional that you know our particular case and that you can assess whether that information is relevant in our case.
At the level of institutions, there are also initiatives to improve the quality of health information circulating on the network.The #SaludSinBulos platform, for example, denounces these falsehoods and all the fake news that they originate and propagate at the speed of light in the sanitary environment."One of every three bulos circulating in the network is about health, being those related to food and cancer the most recurrent.In addition, all these false information generate a lot virality, "Llorachs laments.
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