DIY Health Screening for Disease

Years ago, people went to the doctor and were told their tests were “normal” or “abnormal” but little else was revealed about the actual results. Now, things are different. People want to know their exact numbers and some are taking advantage of testing that can be done by oneself, without the help of their doctor. The question on some people’s mind is whether or not the drugs used to treat the conditions tested for should be not-by-prescription.

The FDA is getting in on the discussion and plans to hold public hearings on the matter. This is because this is a new paradigm in healthcare that promises to put healthcare into the hands of the consumer at costs that are much cheaper than having a doctor be the middleman or middle-woman. This might mean that there will be simpler access for diabetes treatments as well as treatments for cholesterol—two common conditions that have self testing available to interested parties. Things like blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraine headaches and asthma can be self-diagnosed and self treated.

Screening can be done at health kiosks, pharmacies, on websites or at a grocery store. The person could have the option of consulting a pharmacist for the right medication to choose or could use internet sites to pick a medication, order it online or get it off store shelves, and treat their conditions much like they treat a fever or the common cold. It would be far cheaper to do medicine this way and most people are smart enough to see a doctor if things aren’t going the right way.

More people are searching the internet for health information each and every day. Many are using sites to search symptoms and some are going to their doctors well prepared for the visit they are about to have with their doctor—so well prepared, in fact, that they almost don’t need the doctor’s intervention.

Health apps have become a part of people’s mobile phones and computers so they can keep track of their cholesterol numbers, their weight, and their blood pressure. Blood pressure monitors can be attached to iPhones and iPads so the data is directly included in the app.

Health kiosks are popping up all over, doing blood oxygen levels, blood pressures, and blood sugars. Some give the information to the person’s physician while some just give it to the patient who requested the test to do anything they want to with it. Some kiosks expect soon to connect you to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse who can guide you to whatever medications or lifestyle changes you may need.

Screening by oneself appeals to those who are bright and who want to be the controller of their own health destiny. They understand what it takes to get well and are willing to go through what it takes to get there, whether or not a doctor is involved.