File under “Yathink?”: An editorial suggests that cost is why people self-diagnose over the internet

“However, there is a reason why the cyber doctor may be getting such a foothold in our society – cost.

While an accident which puts a victim into the emergency department followed by six months recovering in a ward is all courtesy of the taxpayer, a one-minute visit to a GP to have him give a few reassuring words about a funny looking mole or a worrying lump results in a $40 bill.

There are issues with online consultations and self-diagnosis, but it is wrong to blame the internet; the problem lies with how our health system is funded and the distortion caused by the fact that some services are charged for while other, much more expensive ones, are completely free.”