Medical Googlers part II

Dr. Rahul K. Parikh has written a response in Salon.com to Dr. Scott Haig's Time article "When the Patient is a Googler." Dr. Parikh suggests that physicians should not disdain the
Internet, but embrace it. Having informed patients ultimately helps the doctor do a better job, as patients who understand their treatment are more likely to comply. And the doctor can be a source for pointing patients to reliable web sites so they can learn reliable, understandable information. You can see the article here: http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/01/10/web_doctor/index.html.

As I have said before, effective patient-physician communication is the responsibility of both patient and physicians. Physicians have a responsibility to effectively inform patients in a language the patient can understand so the patient can make a truly informed decision. Patients have a responsibility to be honest with their doctor and to take an active interest in their own health. The Internet can be an effective tool to keep both patients and physicians informed. But both have a responsibility to use and study such information to supplement the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship, not replace it.