Should We Trust Online Medical "Experts"

My top 5 tips

Dec 06, 2024

As a perimenopause educator, I’m often asked for my opinion about Instagram, YouTube, and online medical influencers. In addition to my current work in perimenopause, my dedication to healthcare throughout my career has kept me close to medical professionals and healthcare providers, so I have a unique perspective.

While pursuing my degrees in hospital administration and healthcare management, I learned many aspects of the medical and health fields in addition to business skills that gave me an inside look. To effectively run a hospital, one must have a solid understanding of both business and healthcare principles.

The graduate program I chose was affiliated with a medical school, which allowed me frequent access to their medical library and the opportunity to take classes there. I enjoyed being around medical students and always made the extra effort to look my best when I headed over, hoping to catch the eye of a future doctor! A romantic notion at the time. Although I was the same age as them then, when I see medical students now, they look like kids! Funny how that happens.

Twenty years ago, finding a medical professional or healthcare provider dishing out advice online was uncommon. Today, however, countless healthcare providers and others are available online, which can be overwhelming. This article will help guide you on what to consider when looking for medical advice online from a medical “expert.”

My 5 Things to Consider When Evaluating an Online Medical “Expert.”

I want to start by acknowledging that there are many fantastic experts on social media who offer immense value and have personally helped me with their content.

However, we need to be cautious about whom we trust and where we place our faith. Perimenopause can increase our vulnerability as we become desperate for answers and to feel better. At first glance, the information shared may seem reliable, but taking a second look can reveal issues.

Although what you find online may not be an individualized medical opinion, it’s still important to protect ourselves.

1. Are they practicing clinicians? Are they seeing patients?

I may use the terms medical professional and healthcare provider, but in the medical world, the term “clinician” is key. Clinicians (such as physicians, nurses, therapists, etc.) are medical professionals who see patients. Clinicians who see patients have met their current education, licensing, and credentialing requirements, which provides them with credibility in their field. Practicing clinicians stay updated on the latest trends in their profession.

If a provider is not currently seeing patients, check to see if they have past experience providing patient care. If they stepped back, research the reason why. It may be something as simple as retirement or something to be more cautious about, such as losing their license. Some medical professionals receive medical credentials but never practice patient care.

Some online “experts” wear white coats or surgical scrubs when filming videos to give the appearance of being experts. This can be deceptive and raise concerns about their authenticity, especially if they are not involved in direct patient care. I watched a commercial for toothpaste featuring an individual wearing a white coat, but the fine print at the bottom stated they were an employee of the toothpaste manufacturer. Actor portrayal or actor betrayal?

2. What's their motivation?

Medical professionals have found it increasingly difficult to earn a living due to changes in healthcare reimbursement and other factors, leading many to seek new income streams to supplement or replace their patient care income.

Some are online to promote their services and provide education, while others may be online to sell products, supplements, compounded hormones out of their offices, or programs. In many cases, it can be a combination of both, so it’s important to understand their motivation. If products are a part of their influencing ability, check to see if they have a financial interest in the company or receive a kickback for recommending a product.

This doesn’t make a person online who sells products inherently bad; it’s just something to be aware of so you don’t get taken advantage of without realizing it.

My urologist is a good example of a medical professional who is online doing good things. She continues to see patients, and it’s clear that her online presence is focused on educating others and introducing herself to potential patients to build her practice. Ever wonder why your urine stream comes out in multiple streams and sprays everywhere? She’s your doc!

I didn’t realize she had an Instagram and YouTube accounts when I picked her. I used my selection method to find a good doctor, and she met all my criteria. I’ll share my tips for selecting a physician at another time.

3. What are their medical credentials?

It wasn’t always like this, but many educational degrees bestow the title “doctor," which can lead to confusion. It’s important not to take the title "doctor" at face value—do some research to understand what type of doctor someone is.

In the past, there were primarily two types of doctors: MDs (Medical Doctors) and DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine). MDs and DOs are both considered physicians. There is a difference between someone who has earned an MD or a DO degree who has completed four years of medical school, several years of residency, achieved board certification, and obtained a license to practice medicine, and others who may not have the same level and length of medical training but may use the term “doctor.”

Many clinician types, including physical therapists, chiropractors, and podiatrists, earn doctoral degrees in their fields. Other healthcare professionals, like clinical psychologists, who obtain a PhD (an academic degree) can use the title “doctor” and are clinicians who see patients. However, non-clinician individuals who hold a PhD may also use the title “doctor” even though they do not have training in a medical field.

Finally, regardless of someone's credentials, it’s always wise to continue to do your due diligence when seeking medical advice online.

Need help figuring out which doctor is which? Visit Which Doctor for my playful take on medical specialties and the different types of doctors.

4. Are they promising things that sound too good to be true?

When we’re not feeling well or are desperately seeking answers to improve our health or a loved one, we may be tempted to consider any solution that promises relief.

However, if a remedy or advice seems too good to be true or contradicts established medical guidelines and advice, we should exercise caution. The consequences could affect our finances, our health, or even our lives. Be cautious when medical “experts” make promises that seem too good to be true.

So, I guess this means that I probably shouldn’t rely on the online tinnitus expert who found a solution to tinnitus using a spoon and putting wax in my ears. Darn!

5. Have they written a book?

While this alone doesn't determine a medical expert's trustworthiness, it can help you understand their perspective better.

If they’ve authored a book, take the time to read it and assess whether the information makes sense to you or if your instincts suggest that it might not be reliable. Additionally, you can search online to see if they have published any other articles or works you can reference.

There’s a tremendous amount of medical advice online. Ultimately, what matters most is your satisfaction with the information provided by any online medical "expert" and your belief that it's right for you. I hope that by sharing these insights, you will find a clearer approach to evaluating the wealth of information out there and determine what is truly helpful for you.

Speaking of on-screen medical care, if you're searching for a new half-hour comedy, I highly recommend checking out St. Denis Medical on NBC. I love it! The show blends humor with the realities of life in a hospital, along with some bittersweet moments. Joyce, the hospital administrator, is played by the very funny Wendy McLendon-Covey, known from the TV show Rules of Engagement. Her job as a hospital administrator is one of the positions my degrees prepared me for. She’s my fav!

That wraps up another week’s article.

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Be well, stay cool…