Dealing with ‘Dr Google’

The cyberchondriacs are increasingly appearing in private practice and the NHS. Dr Greg Dollman downloads some advice.

How should private doctors react to patients who turn up for their appointment armed with printed notes or information on their smartphone or health app?

The growing role of the internet in society today means that such a scenario is becoming more common. Indeed, many private patients may be more likely than others to access medical information on their own health prior to an appointment.