A little headache and itching. what could be the reason? You search on Google. It turned out to be the bubonic plague! Such anecdotes are heard regularly – from doctors too. Fortunately, the actual diagnosis is usually much more harmless.
This indicates that health information on the Internet has its pitfalls and therefore does not have the best reputation. Less than a third of Swiss people, Dr. Google gives them. This was the result of a survey made by the Sotomo research institute on behalf of the Sanitas Foundation, open only to Blick.
“Theme is neglected”
Dr. Google often though. Four out of ten people who are in pain or otherwise feeling unwell receive an initial assessment online, and 80 percent use digital services, such as health websites, at least occasionally.
For Felix Gutzwiller, 74, President of the Sanitas Foundation and former professor of medicine at the University of Zurich, one thing is clear: In the future, digital information options will also become increasingly important in the healthcare industry. “But so far the issue has been pretty neglected,” complained the former Zurich FDP State Council. The aim of the study is to initiate a public discussion on this issue.
Doctors have a high level of trust
Two-thirds of those surveyed say they have a good understanding of health information. But there is a lack of trust. On the other hand, doctors trust more than 91 percent of those surveyed, according to the study. Conventional doctors are also outpacing the internet in understanding: Nine out of ten people say they have a good understanding of the information given by doctors. Understandability is important: Those who understand their doctor’s explanations “very well” have a 97 percent chance of trusting them.
But even more than half of those who say they have little understanding of the doctor trust him. Not so on the Internet: if you don’t understand the information out there, you can hardly trust it.
The certificate can establish trust
“Good information on specialist websites should become more reliable,” Gutzwiller says. He also has an idea of how this should be: A certificate is required! Gutzwiller refers to the United States where the Food and Drug Administration initiated website certification. He thinks this would be a possibility in Switzerland as well. It doesn’t have to be a state stamp: private labels or an official signage might also be an option.
For Gutzwiller it is crucial that the individual user be able to see if the information is useful and meaningful and has a business history. Only then can websites make a significant contribution to personal development.
Doctors are also required for certification
Doctors agree. It is often unclear who is behind the information, what interests are being pursued, and whether the information is accurate, says Yvonne Gilli (65), President of the IMH Medical Association. According to Gilli, the general public’s reluctance to health information from the Internet is “a sign of health literacy.” The association would strongly support a certificate for health information, as suggested by Gutzwiller.
But he doesn’t want to demonize health sites. “Today, digital information complements medical consultation.” As a doctor, you have repeatedly consulted additional reliable sources of information on the Internet or given instructions, such as using YouTube movies. This strengthened the competence of the patients.
It is important that incriminating information, such as a serious diagnosis, is never presented without an immediate offer to speak to a specialist.