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LETTERS: Reinhard Wentz Use of Google as a diagnostic aid: Is Google like 10 000 monkeys? BMJ 2006; 333: 1270-a [Full text]

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An after thought.

Steven Ford   (18 December 2006)

An after thought. 18 December 2006
Steven Ford, GP Haydon & Allen Valleys Medical Practice. NE47 6LA Send response to journal: Re: An after thought.	Sir The risk of lawyers claiming one's lack of Googling for a diagnosis as negligence is surely a two edged sword. Google is a resource common to all, save those physically or intellectually incapable of using it. Could one not claim that the patient's own failure to contribute to their own care, by failing to do their own research, was contributory negligence? Patients are no longer to be regarded as passive elements in the process and their positive contribution is essential - though this has hitherto been limited to turning up for and co-operating with appointments, investigations etc. Steven Ford Competing interests: None declared