My son just failed his school vision exam, and my first step was... going to the internet. My second step was scheduling an appointment with the eye doctor. You’re going to search for your symptoms online. I know it, you know it, and honestly? That’s okay.
A lot of people research health issues online before seeing a doctor; studies report that roughly two-thirds do so. The question isn’t whether you should research your health concerns online; it’s how to do it effectively without missing something that needs immediate attention.
I’ve spent nearly 20 years in emergency medicine, and I’ve seen patients who arrive well-informed and ready to collaborate, and those who’ve worked themselves into a panic over something manageable. The difference? Knowing how to search smart.
I appreciate patients who take the time to understand their health, it shows they care. The key is learning how to search in a way that empowers you, not overwhelms you. So, let’s talk about how to search smart: where to look, what to trust, and how to know when it’s time to check in with a professional.
Think of online health research like a traffic light system.
Green Light Topics: Safe to Research
This is general health education. Understand what a condition is, how common it is, or what lifestyle factors might help. Researching nutrition, exercise recommendations, or how vaccines work helps you make informed decisions and prepare questions for your provider.
Yellow Light Topics: Research, Then Validate
Most symptom searches fall here. That persistent cough or unexplained fatigue might benefit from initial research to help you describe what you’re experiencing. But proceed with caution. Use your research to prepare for a medical conversation, not to self-diagnose.
According to research, symptom checker tools get it right only about 34% of the time. They’re useful starting points, but can’t replace professional evaluation.
Red Light Topics: Stop searching, Start Seeking Care
Some symptoms require immediate attention. Difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, sudden confusion, or uncontrolled bleeding? Close your browser and get emergency care immediately.
Even if you’re unsure how serious it is, it’s never overreacting to seek care. Trust your instincts: it’s better to have a professional check something that turns out to be minor than risk missing something critical.
The difference between helpful research and an anxiety-inducing spiral comes down to having a smart search strategy.
Confirm information is from a reputable source. Major medical centers like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and the CDC provide evidence-based information. Avoid forums, social media groups, or websites selling products related to your condition.
Search symptoms, not diagnoses. Describe what you’re experiencing rather than trying to confirm what you think you have. Search “persistent dry cough, three weeks” instead of “do I have lung cancer.” This helps you gather information without confirmation bias.
Prepare questions, not conclusions. Arrive with thoughtful questions like “Could these symptoms be related to my other medications?” rather than “I’m pretty sure I have X condition.”
Know when to stop. If you’re opening your tenth browser tab or feeling more anxious than informed, schedule an appointment. Research should reduce uncertainty, not amplify it.
The bottom line: how we search for health information is changing. Search engines and AI tools now summarize answers for us, but those summaries aren’t always complete or personal. It’s harder to ask follow-up questions that reflect your specific situation, and even the “recommended” questions may not apply to you. Always take a moment to confirm that the information you’re seeing comes from credible, evidence-based sources. Smart searching means remembering that your body, history, and health are unique, so your care should be too.
Your online research should lead you toward care, not away from it.
If you’ve been searching more than 20-30 minutes, that’s your signal to move from research to action. That level of concern deserves professional attention.
If symptoms are interfering with your daily life, worsening, or lasting longer than expected, schedule an appointment. At RightCare Clinic, we offer same-day appointments.
If you’re changing your behavior based on online information — avoiding activities, starting supplements, or planning major lifestyle changes — validate that information with a medical professional first.
The most helpful way to use online health information is as preparation for a collaborative medical conversation. Your research helps you describe symptoms accurately, understand what questions to ask, and participate actively in care decisions.
At RightCare Clinic, we value informed patients. When you arrive prepared with questions, we can have meaningful conversations about your health. Our Emergency Medicine physicians have comprehensive diagnostic capabilities on-site - labs, imaging, CT scans, EKGs - moving you past internet possibilities to actual answers.
Smart searching means knowing your limits. You can research symptoms and prepare questions, but you can’t examine yourself, interpret diagnostic tests, or create treatment plans that account for your complete medical history.
Online health research isn’t the problem; it’s how we use it. Approached strategically, it empowers you to be an active healthcare participant. Misused, it creates unnecessary anxiety or dangerous delays.
Use the traffic light framework. Stick to reputable sources. Prepare questions instead of self-diagnoses. Recognize when your research is telling you to stop searching and start getting professional care.
Ready to move from online research to real answers? Schedule a same-day appointment online or by calling 616.888.3710. Our board-certified Emergency Medicine physicians provide comprehensive evaluations with immediate access to on-site diagnostics, so you can stop wondering and start healing.
Todd Chassee, MD, FACEP, is Medical Director for RightCare Clinic and Vice President of Clinical Services at Emergency Care Specialists