Cyberdoc

Cyberdoc is a term coined by psychologist Gunther Eysenbach in 2001 to refer to the increasing number of websites that offer medical information and advice. This advice and information can be accessed and used as self-help self-medication without a consultation with a doctor.

This can be problematic, as patients may mistakenly believe they've obtained the information they needed and thus may forego a proper consultation with their GP. However, if used properly, cyberdocs can reduce the strain on the National Health Service as relatively trivial conditions that can be addressed without consultations or without wasting practitioners' time.

References

Banyard, Philip (2002). Psychology in Practice: Health. Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-84496-5.