What ethical dilemmas arise when patients forgo traditional consultations in favor of online medical advice platforms?

ANSWER: When patients choose online medical advice over traditional consultations, ethical dilemmas include potential misdiagnosis due to limited assessment, lack of personal medical history review, privacy concerns, and the absence of a doctor-patient relationship. Additionally, the quality of online advice may be questionable, and the inability to provide immediate, hands-on treatment could result in delayed care for urgent conditions, potentially leading to harm. It underscores the importance of integrating reliable online resources with professional healthcare guidance.