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LETTERS: Mark Taubert Use of Google as a diagnostic aid: Bias your search BMJ 2006; 333: 1270 [Full text]

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Google search strategy

Julian Hodgson   (20 December 2006)

Google information.

Rameet S Uberoi   (21 December 2006)

Google search strategy 20 December 2006
Julian Hodgson, librarian Wishaw General Hospital Send response to journal: Re: Google search strategy	While Dr Taubert's Google search strategy does produce the results he indicates, a better search strategy produces fewer results so being easier to scan. If the search strategy is "pigmented lesion" buccal inurl:emedicine then only two results are returned including the one he highlights. If physicians are going to use Google to aid diagnosis then not only is the choice of words important, but also how these are expressed in the search string. Competing interests: None declared
Google information. 21 December 2006
Rameet S Uberoi, F1 university Hospital lewisham Send response to journal: Re: Google information.	Dear editor, As a lowly Houseman, I cannot store the vast library of information that is medicine in my junior mind, so the internet becomes a valuable resource. I have found older doctors very sceptical about the use of search engines for medical assistance, but I think it can provide a valuble aid when a symptom or fact; as medical handbooks are on the wards. Ofcourse, the art of web searching is weeding out the mass of granite from the gems. I am not saying google searches should replace good clinical practice, but sometimes a little help is very much needed! Regards, Rameet Singh F1. Competing interests: None declared