Web Medicine, More

[larrynz]

Reading this so soon after a similar article does reinforce the need for caution, some do use the web to prove their own point of view.
www.stuff.co.nz/4332524a7144.html

Australian research has found people searching the internet only take in what they want to read, potentially placing their health at risk.
The research, conducted at the University of NSW, found that people are inclined to maintain their beliefs, even if they find contrary information.
"Our research shows that, even if search engines do find the 'right' information, people may still draw the wrong conclusions - in other words, their conclusions are biased," said Professor Enrico Coiera.
The results, which have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, also revealed that where the information appears in search results, and how much time a person spends looking at it, affects how people perceive it.
"The first or the last document the user sees has a much greater impact on their decisions," Professor Coiera said.
The implications are significant, particularly as more people search for answers to their health questions on the internet.
"We know that the web is increasingly being used by people to help them make healthcare decisions," Professor Coiera said.
"There can be negative consequences if people find the wrong information, especially as people in some countries can now self-medicate by ordering drugs online.

[LindaNY]

How true. Many people just don't take the time to properly and thoroughly educate themselves.

It's very sad and extremely dangerous. Especially since it's so very easy to purchase medications over the INTERNET.