Why Indians Google Their Symptoms Before Consulting a Doctor

When Indians develop an unfamiliar symptom, their first instinct is often to search for it online before visiting a doctor. According to Smriti Tandon, co-founder of Online Chikitsa Mitra and 120by80, this behavior is driven by a desire for reassurance and control.

Tandon believes that patients are trying to do something 'much more understandable', get information about their condition before consulting a doctor. They want to know whether they should be worried, what treatment might involve, and what it could cost.

Patients also search for experiences of others who have gone through the same condition. This provides them with relatability and reassurance that someone else has 'been there' and come out okay.

Tandon highlights that there is an element of fear in this behavior, which healthcare discussions sometimes overlook. Visiting a doctor can make an uncertain symptom feel more real, and patients may worry about investigations they don't understand, serious diagnoses, or medical expenses they hadn't anticipated.