Dr. Google is frequently used by patients seeking medical advice online, but it is crucial to approach such searches cautiously, especially with the increasing role of artificial intelligence. Reliable websites, such as those from major health systems or government agencies, can help educate patients and prepare them for medical consultations, but poorly conducted searches may exacerbate anxiety. The phrasing of search queries should focus on symptoms rather than self-diagnosis to avoid missing alternative explanations. In urgent situations, such as chest pain or stroke symptoms, seeking immediate professional medical help is paramount. Ultimately, a healthcare professional's evaluation is necessary for accurate diagnosis, as symptoms can overlap between minor conditions and serious health issues.

Patients often turn to online searches for medical advice, but these searches should be performed with caution due to the risk of misinformation, especially with AI-generated content that may not cite reliable sources.

Trustworthy medical information can be found on websites from reputable health systems or government agencies, which help educate patients about symptoms and prepare them for doctor visits, whereas relying on the first search results may lead to anxiety and misinformation.

Search queries should be symptom-focused rather than attempting to diagnose oneself, as this approach might highlight a range of potential causes rather than fixating on a single, potentially inaccurate diagnosis.

In emergencies, such as experiencing chest pain or stroke symptoms, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention rather than delaying treatment by searching for online advice.

Ultimately, a healthcare professional's expertise is essential for accurate diagnosis, as overlapping symptoms could indicate either minor issues or serious health conditions, underscoring the limitations of self-diagnosis via internet searches.