Skeptic Check: Heal Thyself

Published: Sept. 24, 2018, 3:29 p.m.

b'Do we still need doctors?\\xa0There are umpteen alternative sources of medical advice, including endless and heartfelt health tips from people without medical degrees. Frankly, self-diagnosis with a health app is easier and cheaper than a trip to a clinic.\\xa0\\xa0Since we\\u2019re urged to be our own health advocate and seek second opinions, why not ask Alexa or consult with a celebrity about what ails us?\\nFind out if you can trust these alternative medical advice platforms.\\xa0Plus, lessons from an AIDS fighter about ignoring the findings of medical science.\\xa0\\xa0\\nAnd, if AI can diagnose better than an MD, will we stop listening to doctors altogether?\\nIt\\u2019s our monthly look at critical thinking \\u2026 but don\\u2019t take our word for it!\\nGuests:\\n\\n\\nKatherine Foley\\xa0\\u2013\\xa0Science and health reporter at\\xa0Quartz,\\xa0and author of the article \\u201cAlexa is a Terrible Doctor\\u201d\\n\\n\\nPaul Offit\\xa0\\u2013\\xa0Professor of pediatrics at the Children\\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perlman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of \\u201cBad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren\\u2019t Your Best Source of\\xa0Health Information\\u201d\\n\\n\\n Richard Marlink\\xa0\\u2013\\xa0Director Rutgers Global Health Institute.\\n\\n\\nShinjini Kundu\\xa0\\u2013\\xa0Research Fellow, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center\\n\\n\\nStuart Schlisserman\\xa0\\u2013\\xa0Internist, Palo Alto, California\\n\\n\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'