No one likes going to the doctor, but nowadays, it's pretty easy not to. Often times phone appointments mean there's no longer a need to get out of bed and sit in a cold waiting room, get prodded by a doctor, and then be chastised for drinking over your average weekly units of alcohol. As well as a lot of doctors now offering virtual appointments from the comfort of your own home, others are turning to the internet for advice about their health.
This is obviously a risky tactic. As well as Googling "Why do I have a headache?" usually coming up with warnings that you're about to die, artificial intelligence is lacking when it comes to doctoral qualifications.
There's a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to a medical diagnoses, meaning visiting your doctor in-person is still the best prescription we can give.
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Still, a new study suggests that more and more of you are turning to AI as your own at-home doctor.
A study undertaken by online pharmacy MedExpress suggests that a third of people in the United Kingdom who are under the age of 35 have turned to AI instead of seeking out a doctor.
56% of those questioned admitted they've used Google or other search engines for the same reason, and with the National Health Service backlog exceeding 7.62 million patients, it seems those lengthy wait times to get an appointment are a big part of it.
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MedExpress' Doctor Ashwin Sharma explains: “While AI has huge benefits, even in the healthcare industry, it is important to note that AI is not a suitable replacement for medical supervision.
"As symptoms vary from patient to patient, there is no way that AI can generate a reliable answer to the symptoms you may be experiencing which could lead to delay in treatment or a patient not being treated which in turn could have negative implications."
For those who are still sticking with traditional methods of a flesh and blood doctor, 73% of those asked said they've lied to their doctor. Top reasons include exaggerating exercise habits, lying about smoking or alcohol consumption, and misleading doctors about your stress levels and burnout.
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Burnout and stress is the issue we're most likely to lie to doctors about, with 28% of the sample size admitting they've been dishonest about this. Would you be as dishonest if your doctor was a robot?
Sharma added: "Lying to healthcare professionals, even about minor details, can have far-reaching consequences. Medical decisions rely on accurate patient information, and dishonesty can lead to misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, or delays in necessary care.
"Patients need to remember that their healthcare team is there to help, not to judge. Being forthright enables doctors to offer the best possible care, reducing the risks of complications and promoting better outcomes."
At least some saw the negative impact of lying to their doctor, with 45% of those surveyed saying they think it delayed their treatment or diagnosis.
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The point of the survey is to reveal how mentality impacts our ability to openly discuss health concerns with medical professionals, but whether it's from embarrassment or the ease of using the likes of AI and Google, the trend of relying on technology instead of actual doctors appears to be one on the rise.
As everyone is different, the old saying of "never Google your symptoms" seems more appropriate than ever.