Getting Health Answers On-line

Yahoo Answers is a place where anyone can post athe best answer. That's because I'm being realistic and
question to be answered by anyone else. Yet, despiteprobably recommend they spend money on a proper
the fact that total strangers with absolutely noprogram. The asker would rather hear that they can
expertise are answering business, legal, and healthget good results without using a marketing firm which
problems, the number of questions continues to grow.would cost them. So they get answers that are faulty
Perhaps because this is a free site, this is the case, butand obviously given by people totally ignorant of
it's rather troubling at best. You can see businesscommon advertising practices.
people asking how to market their products and theThey same is true for health questions and this is a far
answers they receive could be from a ten year old.more serious area. My wife is an RN with her Masters
As a further example, there are those who needdegree and sees the various medical questions and
solutions to real estate contracts and divorceanswers on YA. This can have devastating effects.
information. Again, they get answers that may or mayNo one should be asking health advice from complete
not be accurate because anyone has a chance tostrangers. I understand the desire to save money and
provide them information or miss-information. Onethose not wanting to contact a doctor. People fear
hopes that these people don't take the Yahoodoctors for a variety of reasons but, if they have a
Answers as the final word.condition that requires treatment, there are few
For example, I'm an advertising and marketing "expert"options. If they must go online seeking information or a
with 35 years experience. I have a degree inresponse to a health question, why not ask a
advertising, a Masters in teaching, owned my ownprofessional that is trained in the field? Sure, there may
advertising agency, and was a consultant for 25 years.be a cost involved, but look at the alternative. On YA
Therefore, I consider myself fairly knowledgeable inyou get general, unqualified answers that are mostly
most areas of PR, marketing, and promotion. Iworthless anyway. But asking a doctor or nurse online,
sometimes wander over to YA to see who's askingyou have a much better chance at solid advice that
what. The responses are often times in accurate andmight actually help your ailment or condition.
misleading. I try to offer help but am rarely chosen as