Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- cautiously / ˈkɔ ʃəs li / (adv.) – in a careful way, to avoid danger or problems
Example:Danny walked cautiously across the wet floor so he wouldn’t fall.
- poorly / ˈpʊər li / (adv.) – in a way that is not well, pleasing, or correct
Example:The engineer warned the workers that a poorly built bridge could cause accidents, so they needed to build it carefully.
- inflame / ɪnˈfleɪm / (v.) – to make an emotion more intense or stronger
Example:Spreading false news can inflame fear in the community, especially during a crisis.
- diagnose / ˈdaɪ əgˌnoʊs / (v.) – to find out what disease or problem a person has by looking at the signs or doing tests
Example:The doctor was able to diagnose the illness after looking at the patient’s symptoms and test results.
- dizziness / ˈdɪz i nəs / (n.) – a feeling like when things are spinning around, making it hard to keep steady
Example:After running for a long time, she felt a strong dizziness and had to sit down.
Article
Read the text below.
Dr. Google is often on call for worried patients, but it may not give the best advice.
Doctors say internet searches for medical information should be done cautiously, especially with artificial intelligence playing a growing role.
Information from the right websites can teach patients about symptoms and prepare them for a doctor’s visit. But a poorly done search might inflame anxiety well before someone reaches the waiting room. It’s important to know the source of the information you find and to avoid trying to diagnose your health issue.
“We’ve gotten so used to clicking on that first link,” says John Grohol, a psychologist who specializes in online behavior. “For your health information, especially when it is personal, you want to think about it.”
Some companies pay to have their websites listed at the top of a results page. Those links may be listed as sponsored.
Scroll for results that come from a source you can trust for medical information. That can include big health systems like the Mayo Clinic or sites run by government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More people are using artificial intelligence to get quick answers pulled from a variety of internet sources. Some searches will also generate an AI summary at the top of the results page. But an AI answer may not say where it got the information. That makes it hard to judge credibility.
Doctors say patients should search for information based on symptoms, not an expected diagnosis. Focusing on a diagnosis means you may miss other explanations, especially if you just click the first few links listed in the results.
For some issues, you should skip the search altogether. If you are having chest pains, experiencing dizziness or showing signs of a stroke, seek help immediately.
“You don’t want to delay something that should be treated within a certain amount of time,” said Dr. Olivier Gherardi, medical director of Brown University Health Urgent Care.
Some testing and a visit with a doctor who knows your medical history may be the best medicine in these situations.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Many people search online when they feel sick. Do you look up your symptoms online? Why or why not? How do you decide if a website is trustworthy or not when it comes to important topics such as health? Discuss.
- Sponsored websites often show up first in search results. In your opinion, is it fair that paid websites appear first, even if they aren’t the best? Why or why not? What kind of websites or sources do you think search engine companies should highlight (ex. credible sources, sources that paid)? Why? Discuss.
Discussion B
- When do you think it is okay to search online about symptoms and their causes (ex. when preparing for a doctor’s appointment, when the symptoms are not severe)? Do you think it’s okay to use the internet instead of seeing a doctor for small problems, like a sore throat or a headache? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Do you think consulting the internet about health before a doctor’s appointment is helpful, or would it inflame worry and confusion? Why do you say so? How do you prepare for a medical visit? Discuss.
