A randomized controlled trial of online symptom searching to inform patient generated differential diagnoses.

ABSTRACT: Patient online health searching is now commonplace, however, the accuracy of patient generated differentials for new symptoms and potential for patient anxiety are concerns. We aimed primarily to determine the accuracy of patient generated differentials for new symptoms with and without online searching, and secondarily, to evaluate the impact of searching on anxiety levels. In the waiting room prior to seeing a clinician, 300 patients with new symptoms were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to Google searching with health related features including a symptom search tool vs Google searching with health related features disabled vs no searching. Participants were 18 years or older and presenting to the emergency department of an urban academic medical center with new low-acuity symptoms that were not

SUBMITTER: Martin SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6848180 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature