Hi @1pearl.
You and I are in 100% agreement, doctors can certainly miss the mark sometimes. If we’re uncomfortable with a diagnosis or discussion we’ve had regarding our health, we absolutely need to ask questions. I would have been dead 7 years by now had I not vehemently disagreed with my doctor’s diagnosis. So yes, we definitely need to be our own health advocates. Like you, I also use the internet to research information on a diagnosis I’ve received so that I’m an informed patient. My doctors are all in agreement with that. An educated patient can help with clearer, informative decision making.
My comments about self-diagnosing and using online AI resources still stand. While the internet has certainly opened up the world of helpful information to us, AI generated response are not always accurate. I’ve found many errors or contradicting/conflicting information while comparing AI generated responses to information from the trusted institutional sites, with current studies and papers, where I do my research for many of the replies I give here.

Other concerns of mine are how easily these searches can lead a patient down a rabbit hole of information that doesn’t even apply to them. I’ve talked with many people over the years. Some were so certain of their conclusion, because of what Dr Google said, that they became physically ill with worry, only to find out the internet steered them in the wrong direction because there are many illnesses which can share similar symptoms but aren’t directly related. While some people use the information to direct them to the appropriate care, others use it to self-diagnose and self-treat. There is also a risk of becoming so certain that their self-diagnosis is correct that it is difficult to accept a different diagnosis from a health-care professional.

Anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth. I hope you see we’re on the same page with researching. Everything in moderation and perspective. ☺️