The internet and dermatology: a personal viewpoint

The internet is indiscriminate; doctors and patients alike can benefit from it. Traditionally, we, as doctors, have always been much better informed than our patients about their disorders, and a well-informed patient can be perceived as quite a threat. An ill-informed patient can be even more disturbing. Not long ago, it was only Aran sweater-wearing, Guardian-reading, university lecturers who, when presenting as well-read patients, were able to give us skin experts the ‘heebie-jeebies’.