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I think the internet is useful for doing research before and after visiting the doctor. Patients are able to make their own conclusions based on the information they find on the internet. Then, when they visit the doctor they are able to see if their conclusion is the same as the doctor's and if not, why. Doctors do the  same thing as the patient- they are also making a conclusion based on information and observations, but their conclusions may be the result of different information. Doctor's may rely on results of testing and other medical knowledge to reach their conclusion. The patient's conclusion is still valid and I don't think the doctor should ignore the patient's ideas because the patient does not have formal training. In an ideal situation, there should be discourse that allows the patient and doctor to reach the same conclusion.