'Dr. Google': Ontario doctors warn of increase in DIY medicine
- Joshua Freeman
- Jul 16, 2025
- 1 min read
By Joshua Freeman
Updated: July 09, 2025 at 7:48 PM EDT
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is sounding the alarm on what it says is a concerning increase in the number of patients turning to do-it-yourself medical solutions rather than getting expert advice from doctors.
“We know people are going online,” Dr. David D’Souza said. “The aspect of looking is not necessarily a problem; it’s the interpretation of it.”
D’Souza, a radiation oncologist in London, Ont., said patients are often drawn to ideas that seem “all natural” or that seem to offer “miraculous” results or options with no unpleasant side effects. He cited a study which found that about a third of the most popular social media posts about cancer from 2018-2019 contained factually incorrect information.
“You might say, well, what’s the big deal? What’s the problem with it? Well, most of them are potentially harmful,” he said.
D’Souza was one of several doctors who took part in a news conference hosted by the OMA Wednesday, calling attention to the rising trend of do-it-yourself medical solutions.
Doctors on the panel said they are increasingly encountering self-diagnoses based on internet research or having to answer questions from patients about viral videos suggesting that fast food can cure migraines or that CBD oil can shrink tumours.
Some are even trying to treat themselves.
