Doctor Fool - Fool Patient

Doctor, Don't Treat Thyself
"A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."—Sir William Osler

More old news - we were looking for some video of a local physician posted on the web to which we could link this story and warn against self diagnosis. We found something in time from Little Rock but that's not this jurisdiction. We thought that even though the doctor looks and sounds competent you might NOT have thought so. Dr. Robert Hopkins, UAMS We are NOT saying that this doctor or any doctor is a fool! Repeat we are NOT saying that Dr. Hopkins is a fool!

The Associated Press (AP) and every other news outlet reported: "Microsoft Corp. unveiled the site Wednesday at H1N1ResponseCenter.com. Type in your age — it's only for people over 12 — and answer questions about fever, other symptoms and your underlying health. The program may conclude you've probably got swine flu — known as the 2009 H1N1 strain — but that rest and fluids should be enough care, or that you need a non-emergency call to your own doctor."

For some reason, maybe its the power of the Microsoft dollar but the stories didn't mention all of the other "fix-yourself" sites nor did the mention the dangers. Here's our quick find of such sites followed by our caveat. eCureMe's Self-Diagnostic Center, YourDiagnosis asks questions about every body system. No symptom will go undetected. Your allergies, medications and immunizations are recorded.

DON'T DO IT - If you think you're sick - you're sick! Are you the type of person who are constantly ill? If you are it's doubtful that you'll ever self-diagnose because you're sick and tired of doctors and hospitals. The Microsoft site asks if its for you or someone else so it maybe possible to diagnosis a hard headed friend.

We support and agree with WrongDiagnosis.com: "Self diagnosis is a dangerous practice. In fact, it is one of the most likely ways to get a misdiagnosis, which is the one thing we want to avoid. We recommend you always seek prompt professional in-person medical advice from your local qualified medical professional. In practice, self diagnosis is common for many of the most common symptoms and ailments. When you feel the symptoms of a common cold coming on, you don't always rush to the doctor to confirm it. We nevertheless urge you to consult with your doctor about any symptoms, particularly if there is any doubt or concern, or if the symptoms concern a child, infant, elderly, ill, infirm, pregnant, or otherwise at-risk patient."

What we are is an educational service and you're probably already inclined to use such a service anyway. So if you must - here's the link. We took the test and said we had a fever over 100.4 degrees - what they don't tell you is that you need the following information including a thermometer: "Enter your zipcode, your sex - Male or Female? Your age - How old are you? How many days have you felt like you might have the flu? (With the following limited choices - 24 hours or less, 1-2 days, 2-3 days, 5 or more days). Has your temperature been higher than 100.4º F (38º C) within the last 24 hours? Do you have a cough or a sore throat? Is it hard to breathe, or do you feel short of breath, since you got sick? Can we store and share your answers with health officials and researchers?"

Our fake results brought this answer - "Based on your answers, you probably have the flu and you might be very sick. Call your doctor now! Call your doctor now. Tell your doctor you might be very sick from the flu. Ask if you need to be seen right now. If you need to be seen right now, ask your doctor where to go (doctor's office, walk in clinic or the emergency room). When you see the doctor, ask if you need medicine for the flu. If you can't reach your doctor, go to the emergency room. If you think you have an emergency, call 9-1-1."

The cost of health care and the cost of vigilance is an increasingly expensive health care system. That's a legitimate cost which IF it resulted in our receiving the best care with us being the healthiest citizens in the world would have to be addressed in a more than cost cutting fashion. We don't have the best health care in the world because we have too many dead citizens. What we do have are individuals seeking to make our system better. That's the American way - that we can and must be number one!