[Hanoi Moi] Alarm Over Self-Medication and Self-Diagnosis Trends

Many patients, instead of visiting medical facilities, are putting themselves in harm's way by trusting "Dr. Google" or word-of-mouth advice. The explosive growth of social media requires both the public and professionals to change their perception in order to access medical information safely and effectively.

Paying a heavy price for "trying every remedy when falling ill"

Ms. Đ.T.T.M (45 years old, Mo Lao, Hanoi) recently presented with hand numbness and wrist pain. Believing it was nothing too serious, Ms. Đ.T.T.M consulted "Dr. Google" and tried various remedies ranging from hand massage, warm water soaking, to hot compresses, and stretching exercises... It was not until her condition failed to improve and the pain became even more severe that Ms. Đ.T.T.M went to the hospital for an examination. Consequently, the doctor diagnosed her with carpal tunnel syndrome, with a risk of developing hand muscle atrophy if the symptoms were left prolonged.

Clinical practice shows that many workers experiencing symptoms such as hand numbness, wrist pain, or trigger finger often do not seek medical attention early. Instead, they listen to those around them or self-diagnose online to find treatments. The consequences of improper treatment not only worsen the medical condition but also deprive patients of the opportunity for timely intervention.

Master, Doctor Đỗ Vũ Anh, an orthopedic surgery and sports medicine specialist at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, examining and consulting with a patient.

Master, Doctor Đỗ Vũ Anh (an orthopedic surgery and sports medicine specialist at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital) shared that peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger directly affect the quality of life, yet many patients still insist on self-treating at home. The root cause of this situation is the mentality of "trying every remedy when falling ill."

"Many people assume hand numbness is merely a sign of aging or senile degeneration. Seeing a neighbor with similar symptoms cured by medication, they buy the same drugs without understanding that everyone's physical condition is different. Patients self-treat from taking pills to receiving injections of unknown substances, stopping whenever they feel temporary relief, and giving up in despair when symptoms recur because they don't know where to go for a check-up. Quite a few people even place too much trust in online information streams, turning themselves into their own doctors," Dr. Đỗ Anh Vũ shared.

Social media: A "double-edged sword" in health communication

In the context where social media has become an indispensable part deeply interwoven into modern life, searching for medical information online is truly a "double-edged sword."

The proliferation of health advisory social media channels not run by formally trained doctors, or even fraudulent channels, has led patients into an information matrix, eroding trust in medical communication. Meanwhile, skilled and highly competent doctors sometimes do not truly focus on communicating with the public, or are too busy with clinical duties to do this effectively.

Obviously, the development of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) is an inevitable trend. If previously, word-of-mouth culture shaped the search for treating physicians, today, social media delivers information to patients more quickly and proactively. Review groups about hospitals and doctors make it easy for patients to exchange experiences on surgeries, service quality, and care methods.

This is a challenge that forces doctors to change their mindset. On the positive side, online competition drives doctors to care for patients more comprehensively—from services and attitude to post-operative care—rather than focusing solely on surgical expertise. However, any minor mistake can spark a communication crisis, damaging a doctor's reputation. This is immensely stressful in the medical profession, where no one dares to claim they will go through their entire career without complications.

Information transparency: Doctors need to proactively "speak up"

To solve the problem of trust and alleviate patients' anxiety, the core factor lies in the transparency and dedication of the medical team.

Doctors need to thoroughly explain the medical condition as well as the specific treatment regimen to the patient.

Dr. Đỗ Vũ Anh stated that nerve entrapment conditions are by no means rare, and for specialists, the treatment protocol is not complicated. What causes panic among patients is that they have not been thoroughly explained about their condition and specific treatment roadmap. Doctors need to spend time clearly advising on each step—from medication, injections, rehabilitation, to explaining that surgery is a safe and necessary solution if conservative treatment fails.

Additionally, applying modern medical techniques also helps dispel the fear of the scalpel. Many people hesitate to undergo surgery due to fears of lengthy hospital stays, high costs, and disruptions to work. Currently, however, many minimally invasive surgical procedures ensuring aesthetics can be performed, allowing patients to be discharged on the same day.

To eliminate "Dr. Google" or "acquaintances," promoting health education communication through official channels and social media is extremely practical. The building of personal communication channels directed at the community by regular doctors is an inevitable trend of the future. However, this must go hand in hand with continuously improving professional competence and providing convenient, reasonable medical services. Only when accessing accurate information can the public truly understand diseases, proactively seek early medical examinations, and thereby have more choices and greater satisfaction with their decisions to protect their own health.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bao-dong-tinh-trang-tu-lam-bac-si-744833.html?gidzl=yKPKSqBpeopmML9zJEMXB_1KM7bQjAafxm0DB5Yth2xh2rn_LkwhBk9RN7W3wFbyuriBBsM4XC1cHFEjBG