Microsoft Examines "Cyberchondria"

Microsoft researchers have just published the results of a study of health-related web searches based on anonymous data and interviews with Microsoft employees. Basically the study points out that over-reliance on web-based content for self-diagnosis can be just as unhealthy as not taking any interest in symptoms of possible illness. The study suggests that self-diagnosis by search engine frequently leads searchers to conclude the worst about what ails them. They found that searching for a particular symptom such as "headache" could just as easily lead people to pages describing a serious condition such as brain tumor, as those describing a benign condition such as caffeine withdrawal.

The problem that the researchers see is that current search engine technology is unable to prioritize results most likely to be relevant to the searcher's intent. A better alternative could be provided by a personal health record that can provide health advice based on an individual's actual health history. By using the PHR as the first point of inquiry about a health question, it could be possible to use the person's health profile as a filter to present information relevant to their current health condition.