Patients are mimicking the illnesses suffered by their favourite soap and television stars, a British survey suggested on Thursday.
More than nine out of 10 doctors claimed to have seen patients reporting symptoms based on what they had seen on TV or read in newspapers, the research claimed.
Norwich Union Healthcare, a major private insurer, found that 60% of the 200 doctors questioned thought the growing number of medical issues covered by soaps, lifestyle programmes and newspapers and magazines were making their patients paranoid.
They said this exposure was encouraging patients to undertake self-diagnosis by seeking advice from friends and family before speaking to their doctors.
The poll found that nearly nine in 10 doctors claimed their patients arrived for an appointment having already decided on their diagnosis.
The author of the survey, Doug Wright, said: ”The media has a really beneficial role in raising awareness about significant health-care issues and this should not be underestimated.”
”However, we shouldn’t let these issues scare us. If you have real concerns, your first stop must always be your doctor.” — Sapa-DPA