The Internet Doctor And Unsolicited Medical Advice

Thulaganyo Jankey | Thursday September 19, 2024 10:45

It's like a never-ending episode of a cooking show where the secret ingredient is always chaos. One minute you're learning how to budget like a minimalist, and the next, you're deep in the philosophical trenches, pondering how Ratsie Setlhako might have captured modern love in a song with his one-stringed violin. And let's not forget the medical advice, served piping hot and just as reliable as a politician’s promise. It's a buffet of unsolicited guidance, where the only thing you can trust is that you'll leave with more questions than answers. So, grab a spoon and dig in – just maybe don't take the serving about limiting your wife's spending to heart, or you might find your belongings simmering in the pot next!

We live in a world of unsolicited medical advice from non-medical experts – a place where everyone's a doctor after a quick Google search. One day you're sneezing, and suddenly your neighbor, who can't tell an oesophagus from a collarbone, is doling out prescriptions like candy at Sweets From Heaven. 'Have you tried cycling for your broken toe?' they ask, or 'I read that brake fluid can cure your kind of hair loss!' It's all in good fun until someone tries to treat their wifi allergy with essential oils.

Then there are these classic sidewalk doctors. My aunt - who was really more of a family acquaintance than a biological aunt (is there anything like that) - with her frontline desk experience at the doctor's practice, probably diagnosed more sniffles and sneezes than a medical practitioner armed with the right credentials. It's a special kind of medical prowess that comes not from years of medical school, but from years of shuffling appointment cards and deciphering doctor's handwriting that would baffle cryptologists. My aunt may not have had a degree, but she had the experience that counted! Well, most times it didn’t!

When it comes to mysterious ailments, it seems everyone has a PhD from the University of Unsolicited Advice. While your friend's heart might be in the right place, it's always best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before trying out unknown antidotes. After all, you wouldn't want to treat a sneeze with snake oil or a hiccup with helium—unless you're aiming to audition for a role in a Tom and Jerry cartoon series. Remember, the internet is a treasure trove of information, but when it comes to your health, it's wise to leave the diagnosing to the docs and the web browsing for the latest tik tok videos.

While Dr. Google might have an Masters Degree in Searchology, it's important to remember that not all information is created equal. The internet is a buffet of facts and fictions, and sometimes the 'cure' it offers is just a spoonful of digital syrup — tasty but not necessarily effective. Remember, while the internet can provide valuable information, it's no substitute for a real-life, degree-holding doctor who can offer personalized medical advice. So, before you start popping the pills that Dr. Search Engine prescribes, make sure to check the credibility of the source, and when in doubt, consult a healthcare professional—because the only thing worse than having an ailment is misdiagnosing it with the help of Dr. I-Think-I-Know-But-Not-Really.

Finally, remember, while laughter is the best medicine, for everything else, there's a reason medical professionals spend a decade in school! Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before following the wellness tips from your aunt's Facebook post that claims lemon juice is the new miracle cure for, well, everything.

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Thulaganyo Jankey is a Rapporteur and training consultant who runs his own training consultancy that provides training in BQA- accredited courses. His other services include registering consultancies with BQA and developing training courses. Contact him on 74447920 or email ultimaxtraining@gmail.com