BMJ 2006;333 (2 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.39044.653981.BE
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Google is a good diagnostician
Using signs and symptoms as search terms on Google finds the correct diagnosis 57.7% of the time (95% confidence interval 38.3% to 77.1%) say Tang and Ng (doi: 10.1136/bmj.39003.640567.AE). The authors identified 26 case reports published in a single journal and selected three to five specific symptoms and signs from each to be used as Google search terms. They compared Google results with the original diagnoses. Google searching is less helpful in identifying complex diseases with non-specific symptoms than in diagnosing illnesses with unique symptoms.
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- Googling for a diagnosis—use of Google as a diagnostic aid: internet based study
- Hangwi Tang and Jennifer Hwee Kwoon Ng
BMJ 2006 333: 1143-1145.[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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