Search engine as a diagnostic tool in difficult immunological and allergologic cases: is Google useful?

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Web search engines are an important tool in communication and diffusion of knowledge. Among these, Google appears to be the most popular one: in August 2008, it accounted for 87% of all web searches in the UK, compared with Yahoo‘s 3.3%. Google’s value as a diagnostic guide in general medicine was recently reported. The aim of this comparative cross‐sectional study was to evaluate whether searching Google with disease‐related terms was effective in the identification and diagnosis of complex immunological and allergic cases.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold> Forty‐five case reports were randomly selected by an independent observer from peer‐reviewed medical journals. Clinical data were presented separately to three investigators, blinded to the final diagnoses. Investigator A was a Consultant with an expert knowledge in Internal Medicine and Allergy (IM&A) and basic computing skills. Investigator B was a Registrar in IM&A. Investigator C was a Research Nurse. Both Investigators B and C were familiar with computers and search engines. For every clinical case presented, each investigator independently carried out an Internet search using Google to provide a final diagnosis. Their results were then compared with the published diagnoses.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> Correct diagnoses were provided in 30/45 (66%) cases, 39/45 (86%) cases, and in 29/45 (64%) cases by investigator A, B, and C, respectively. All of the three investigators achieved the correct diagnosis in 19 cases (42%), and all of them failed in two cases.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusion:</jats:bold> This Google‐based search was useful to identify an appropriate diagnosis in complex immunological and allergic cases. Computing skills may help to get better results.</jats:p>