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SigMT Autumn 2017

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100 | SignatureMT answer questions about your health, run tests as necessary, and help find the right answers to your concerns. So, when is it beneficial to use the internet as a source for medical information? Primarily aer you have visited with a medical provider. e internet can help you learn more about your diagnosis, but you need to use credible sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic. If you do not have a primary care provider, it's not too late to get one. Schedule an appointment to establish care with one of Benefis' primary care providers to discuss your health concerns, medical history, and build a lasting relationship to address your ongoing health needs. e Benefis Patient Navigators can help you find a healthcare provider to best serve your primary care needs—call (406) 731-8896 today. To Your Health Mark Groeller, Clinic Manager, Benefis Internal Medicine The internet is an amazing tool, providing instant access to endless information that makes finding answers quicker and easier. But with instant access to so much information, it can also cause problems. It is incredibly easy to misinterpret or improperly utilize facts found online, which has become a growing problem in medicine. Many people try to self-diagnose their medical problems with the internet. According to the Pew Research Center, 35% of U.S. adults have searched online to try to diagnose a medical condition. Additionally, Pew reports that 72% of internet users have searched for health information within the past year, and 80% of online health searches begin with a search engine rather than a legitimate health information website. Without a medical background, it is difficult to identify the symptoms that will help you accurately diagnose your concern. Health concerns can easily lead to anxiety, and adding insufficient research or poor sources can lead someone to believe that their simple cough is something more ominous such as cancer. Studies show that self-diagnosing medical concerns online can lead to cyberchondria, which is when an individual develops anxiety related to their health due to their internet searches. is is not entirely surprising as studies have shown that up to 90% of people who use the internet to self-diagnose were led to serious illnesses when they had basic symptoms. If you have concerns about your health, it is best to make an appointment to speak with a primary care provider. ey can help Be Cautious When Consulting "Dr. Internet" ~ Mark Groeller is the Clinic Manager of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases. He holds a Bachelor of Administration degree, and master's degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration. Cyberchondria: MT S

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