Reply to Very young moms and their “research”

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] I can think of three parents I have right now where [b]everything I say is wrong because the internet says X, Y, Z.  Everything is a battle.  I’m constantly getting print outs from Natural News. [/b]  [/quote]

And I think this is the crux of the problem.  The number of people who pre-diagnose problems with Dr. Google and then will not believe an actual professional caregiver because they don't concur with WebMD are the real issue.  Due to their age, those in the  19-25 age group who have grown up with the Internet, Google, Alexa and cell phones are much more likely to be in this category; but there are plenty of people in other age demographics who also fall into this category, but to lesser degrees.  The highest percentage will be in younger age groups, so the highest percentage in the 19-29 age group, less in the 30-39 age group, less still in the 40-49 age group, etc.

We are in our 50's and both are IT specialists, so we are much more savvy about the Internet and resources than many of our age peers, but the primary difference is that we read the Internet not to diagnose, but to research.  When we talk with medical specialists, we then discuss what we read, not to contradict the medical practitioners, but to ask them whether what we read applies or is related to what our (or our children) are experiencing.  My spouse has a genetic disorder that is very rare (about 90,000 cases world-wide).  I've spent the last 20 years caring for and taking my spouse to medical specialists around the country and we've found a team that we really like.  But, since we often go from specialist to specialist, we spent the first 10 years with notebooks and notes and each time we talked with a new specialist, we discussed what had been done, I kept copies of medical records, tests, etc.  I was asked by several specialists if I was a medical specialist in this field, but each time I confirmed that I was not, just a specialist in exactly one patient.  I find that the difference in reception is in keeping an open mind, presenting what I've learned not as fact, but as research and discussing information we have.  All of our doctors take the time to present what they've found, and why they are recommending the treatment that they do.  They will discuss if what I've learned is appropriate or not.

However, since we had children late, we are often around peer parents who are 15-20 years younger.  Discussing with them or seeing what they post on FB, I can see the phenomenon that OP cites as a problem in many of my younger peers.  It is true that younger people do tend to believe what they research on the Internet and are much likely to believe that it gives them ammunition to advocate for themselves and to contradict professionals that they seek rather than present such research to discuss.  But I don't think it's restricted to young parents, just that they are more likely to be that way due to the way they grew up.[/quote]

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