Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 25: With the onset of health information available at our fingertips through the click of a button, it has become difficult to distinguish between reliable medical information and the myths that prevail nowadays. With easy access to healthcare information through the internet, there has been a rise in health myths and misinformation related to children’s well-being, which can lead to misconceptions and delay in treatment. In this regard, Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev, an expert Pediatric Cardiologist in Gurgaon, advises parents to trust medical advice from pediatricians rather than online information.
The most common source of health information when there is a problem with the child’s health are the online sources, such as social media websites, parenting forums, and online videos. The main problem with online sources is that the data on them is mostly based on personal opinions, misconceptions or lack of knowledge and not scientifically proven facts.
In his views on the subject, Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev, a renowned pediatric heart specialist, commented that “the internet is a good means to create awareness, but should not be used as a substitute for proper medical consultation. Each child is different, and the medical advice needs to take into account the clinical examination, medical history, and evidence, not generic knowledge from the internet.”
The growing number of online medical myths is especially worrisome when we talk about the heart issues in children. If your child has symptoms like fast breathing, poor weight gain, extreme tiredness, blue lips, frequent chest pain, or blackouts, then these should never be overlooked, nor should you diagnose your child based on what you find on the internet. These symptoms need to be assessed immediately by a skilled Pediatric Cardiologist.
One of the main proponents of congenital heart disease awareness, Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev noted that there were many cases where such disease was diagnosed when patients showed no apparent signs or symptoms of the condition during their early years of development. The doctor mentioned that some children can seem perfectly healthy despite having certain diseases that need professional intervention and care.
Speaking about the importance of evidence-based healthcare for children, Dr. Sachdev stressed that contemporary pediatrics is based on extensive clinical research, guidelines, and individual patient assessment. In contrast to general advice found on the Internet, the professional recommendations are made taking into account a wide range of criteria such as the age of the patient, their health history, development stage, symptoms, and results of the examination.
The doctor also suggested checking whether the medical information received was reliable. The best sources of evidence-based healthcare advice include professionals, well-known hospitals, official governmental organisations, and medical research only. Any advice found in anonymous posts on social media or miraculous cures offered in viral videos should be avoided.
“Pleasant discussions of whatever information parents have come across through the Internet should take place during consultations,” Dr. Sachdev concluded. “Being a doctor, our responsibility is to not only treat and diagnose but to assist parents in understanding what kind of information on the Internet is true and which one is misleading. Open dialogue between parents and medical personnel creates trust and will result in benefiting the child.”
In order to tackle the problem of healthcare misinformation that grows quickly in the age of technology, Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev recommends families to rely first and foremost on reliable pediatric medical information rather than on Internet speculation. In case of the need to look for medical assistance in relation to both common issues and health conditions associated with children’s heart, a consultation of a qualified pediatric cardiologist guarantees safe and evidence-based treatment.
By raising awareness about congenital heart disease, advocating pediatric medical expert consultation and evidence-based pediatrics, Dr. Sachdev keeps parents informed about relevant medical facts.
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