On a recent visit to the eye doctor, I came clean: I confessed I had looked up a question on the Internet. I fully expected (a) to be mildly scolded for my folly or (b) for us to laugh together as I was told, "Well, you know, you can't believe everything you read online."

But my doctor didn't miss a beat. She immediately started discussing the medical issue with me, until I blurted, "…but I thought you were never supposed to look things up on the Internet!"

Ah, the Internet. Without a doubt, it plays an increasingly central role in providing people with health information. It's easy. It's accessible. And there is a lot of information out there.

When your daughter is running a slight fever and hasn't been feeling well in a few days, do you go online to look up the symptoms? Or when you have been feeling unnecessarily tired and you're wondering why your energy is so low-again, do you turn to Google for a possible explanation?

Probably.

So is seeking medical advice online okay?

"I think it's very useful. It does, in some ways, increase a person's knowledge about diseases," says Dr. Graeme Bethune, a family practitioner and Medical Director of Veterans Services at the Veterans' Memorial Building in Halifax.

He points out that the more information patients read, the more engaged and aware they become, which can help them take responsibility for their own well-being.

On the other hand, he says, not all the information on the Internet is accurate or up-to-date. "Unfortunately, the Internet casts a pretty wide search, and some of the information is of questionable value."

People should be aware that there are many "fringe" websites online, so if you are going to seek information via the Internet, it is important to check reputable, recognized sources (which is, in fact, what my doctor told me). Dr. Bethune suggests that reliable sources such as the Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.com), the Canadian College of Family Physicians (cfpc.ca) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (aafp.org) are good places to start.

A visit to one of these recognized sites can provide accurate, up-to-date information for someone who may want to look up an issue-say, tennis elbow-for a more in-depth explanation, he says.

Dr. Bethune says most patients still have a lot of trust in their health care providers and often defer to their doctors. He has had patients bring in articles they've found online to see if he agrees or disagrees with the information. He points out that, while it may take some additional work to discuss an article, it is important that medical professionals be open to patients who come in with questions gleaned from the things they have read online. "People are going to do it anyway. They will look things up, and that's fine."

Besides, he notes that these moments can also be an opportunity to correct misunderstandings. Not all issues are black and white, he says, and "you can scare yourself unnecessarily"-if, say, you happen to come across a list of all of the potential side effects of a medication, even though they may not apply to you.

Dr. Bethune says he sees some great benefits to online discussion forums, which can act as modern self-help groups. They can provide great emotional support and encouragement from others who have been in the same situation, or who are living with the same issue.

Overall, Dr. Bethune says he sees more advantages than disadvantages from the Internet when it comes to health care, because access to information often helps to increase general knowledge and engagement among patients. And while the Internet can be a good tool, it is, as always, important to bring your concerns to your health care provider for a face-to-face chat. Says Dr. Bethune: "It's still the best prescription."