You arrive in your doctor's office and say, "I am really worried that I have X disease … I read about it on the Internet, and I have all the symptoms." Which of the following responses from your doctor would be both accurate and effective to reduce your anxiety?

Question

A. "The Internet can be useful as a starting point, but the medical information is not always accurate when applied to a specific person, and that can lead to unnecessary stress. Let's talk about your symptoms and see if we can identify what's wrong."
B. "Forget what you read. Looking up medical information on the Internet is never a good idea; it just leads to unnecessary stress. Let's talk about your symptoms and see if we can identify what's wrong."
C. "It's unlikely you have X. It might make you feel more in control if you look up medical information before a doctor's visit, but there's too much information and it's almost always inaccurate. Let's talk about your symptoms and see if we can identify what's wrong."
D. "The Internet has so much information nowadays that diagnosis-by-Internet is correct more often than not. Consider me as your "second opinion." Let's talk about your symptoms and see if we can identify what's wrong."

Answer 1

Answer: A