RESUMO
To determine the frequency of using internet for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions; to identify the most frequent [websites] resources used for selfdiagnosis and treatment of medical conditions; to assess the awareness of inaccuracy of information on internet for self-diagnosis of medical conditions A cross-sectional study was done including students in the GMU using validated self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire includes in addition to socio-demography of participants, information about the use of internet for self health management, most common website searched, history of complication following the use and if they had verified the diagnosis with treating physician. Informed consent was taken from participants and the confidentiality of the participants was maintained. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.20 and Chi-Square test was done. The results showed that 93.6% of the participants were using internet for healthcare management and the main reason was the ease of accessing medical information online. In 75.9% of respondents who had used the internet for self-management, the diagnosis was verified with a doctor, and 49.7% of them found that it was inaccurate. 43% of the participants took medication listed online followed by their internet-based self-diagnosis. Specialized medical websites were the most credible source as 57.10% of the study sample using this successfully verified their diagnosis with a doctor. Most of the participants were using the internet for self-diagnosis and management and 49.7% of respondents found that the diagnosis was inaccurate after it had been verified by a doctor. Specialized medical websites were the most credible source. It was identified that students do realize how inaccurate the internet can be