Debate: Are Medical Websites Healthful?
Does the internet add to patients' knowledge, or dangerously misinform them?

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: I was able to do considerable research on the cancer I was diagnosed with on my own, and my oncologist respected my knowledge and worked with me.
Warrant 0: a patient may in fact research a strain of illness not related to their own and their oncologist may not be able to convince them of this
Warrant 1: a patient will not research a strain of illness not related to their own and their oncologist will be able to convince them of this
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: I wouldn't know about my illness without medical websites.
Warrant 0: I mis-diagnosed my illness
Warrant 1: I diagnosed my illness
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: I turned to the internet when my husband was diagnosed with late stage aggressive prostate cancer 13 years ago.
Warrant 0: I followed the website information and got helpful info
Warrant 1: I followed the website information and got bad info
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: A search on a medical site could get early treatment.
Warrant 0: self diagnosis has internal bias because patients know themselves better and it has a less chance for error.
Warrant 1: self diagnosis has internal bias and has a great chance for error.
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: By using information on the medical website, while conferring with my doctor I was able to get a more accurate diagnoses and alleviate personal fears.
Warrant 0: this diagnosis caused me to live in pain for the rest of my life
Warrant 1: this diagnosis caused me to live in less pain for the rest of my life
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: I was able to do considerable research on the cancer I was diagnosed with on my own, and my oncologist respected my knowledge and worked with me.
Warrant 0: most people that use the internet are as intelligent as I am
Warrant 1: most people that use the internet are not as intelligent as I am
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: There are cases where internet research on medical websites improved condition or saved lives.
Warrant 0: these same websites can be full of information that simply frightens and doesn't inform
Warrant 1: these same websites can be full of information that enlightens and informs
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: Not doing your own research can be hazardous to your health.
Warrant 0: the wrong information is out there too
Warrant 1: the right information is out there too
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: The internet can be supplementary to meeting with a physician.
Warrant 0: physicians are available 24/7
Warrant 1: physicians are not available 24/7
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Medical websites are healthful
Reason: Patients know their body, but have limited doctor access.
Warrant 0: doctors are not needed for proper diagnosis
Warrant 1: doctors are needed for proper diagnosis
Correct warrant: 0