Googling for a diagnosis--use of Google as a diagnostic aid: internet based study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine how often searching with Google (the most popular search engine on the world wide web) leads doctors to the correct diagnosis.

Design

Internet based study using Google to search for diagnoses; researchers were blind to the correct diagnoses.

Setting

One year's (2005) diagnostic cases published in the case records of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Cases

26 cases from the New England Journal of Medicine; management cases were excluded.

Main outcome measure

Percentage of correct diagnoses from Google searches (compared with the diagnoses as published in the New England Journal of Medicine).

Results

Google searches revealed the correct diagnosis in 15 (58%, 95% confidence interval 38% to 77%) cases.

Conclusion

As in

SUBMITTER: Tang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1676146 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature